Overweight and Obesity in Metallurgical Workers of the Arctic: Prevalence, Causes of Development, Clinical Significance

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are the most common health disorders, closely related to the development of the lifestyle diseases. We studied the results of an in-depth survey of 1,220 employees of electrolysis and carbonyl nickel production. In addition to the clinical and functional examination, possible production and non-production causes of excessive development of adipose tissue in the form of overweight and obesity were analyzed. Obesity was detected in 18.3 % and overweight in 41.9 % of the examined individuals. We established that the development of obesity is influenced by the age and sex of employee, duration of work experience, the severity of work and low physical activity during free time.The risk of obesity is first increased at the age of 30–34 years (RR = 3.02; CI 0.95–9.64), and the formation of overweight is at the age of 45–49 years (RR = 1.67; CI 1,13-2.48). Obesity enhances the risk of circulatory (RR = 2.83; CI 2.16–3.71), the endocrine (RR = 3.23; CI 1.99–5.24), digestive (RR = 2,08; CI 1.47–2.94) and musculoskeletal (RR = 1.53; CI 1.33–1.77) diseases. No clinical significance of overweight has been identified. A comprehensive prevention of obesity, including correction of the diet and an adequate level of physical activity, is needed to reduce the risk of developing health problems among metallurgical workers of the Arctic.