The obesity epidemic in the occupational health context

Bonde, Jens Peter; Viikari‐Juntura, Eira

doi:10.5271/sjweh.3362

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The majority of studies on obesity have focused on children and the general adult population (4,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Limited empirical evidence exists on obesity among the labor force, especially in China, which has the largest labor market in the world (19). The existing literature has documented that obesity negatively affects the labor market through two mechanisms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Curse or Blessing? Obesity and Income-Related Inequality in the Chinese Labor Force

Tang

Yang

Peng

et al. 2021

Front. Public Health

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China owns a huge labor force of around half billion workers in 2018. However, little is known about the prevalence of obesity and the association between obesity and economic status in this special population. By employing the concentration index (CI) and decomposition analysis, this paper addresses this knowledge gap by using the most recent nationally representative dataset. In specific, this study examines the prevalence of obesity and the socioeconomic gradient in the probability of obesity among Chinese workers between 16 and 65. Our results show that the prevalence of obesity is completely different by using a different measure: the overall prevalence of being general obesity (measured by body mass index, BMI ≥ 28) varies by gender and residency from a minimum of 5.88% to a maximum of 9.46%, whereas abdominal obesity (measured by waist circumference, WCmale ≥ 85 cm & WCfemale ≥ 80 cm) prevalence presents a socking level from 64.53% to 67.69%. Moreover, the results show a pro-rich distribution of obesity (general and abdominal) among male workers (CIBMI = 0.112; CIWC = 0.057) and a pro-poor distribution among female workers (CIBMI = −0.141; CIWC = −0.166). We also find that the direction of the contribution of socioeconomic factors to income-related inequalities in obesity differs by gender. These results have substantial implications for the measurement of socioeconomic inequality in adiposity and for improving health-related policies targeting the Chinese labor force.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Curse or Blessing? Obesity and Income-Related Inequality in the Chinese Labor Force

Tang

Yang

Peng

et al. 2021

Front. Public Health

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“…OSAS was significantly associated with these metabolic disorders. The cross-sectional nature of these observations prevents us from making causal considerations, however a recent review [19] shows that obesity predisposes to OSAS, and the increasing prevalence of OSAS is influenced by the worldwide ongoing epidemic of obesity [20]. It has been observed, indeed, that obesity and OSAS tend to cluster in the same workplace [21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), Metabolic Syndrome and Mental Health in Small Enterprise Workers. Feasibility of an Action for Health

Garbarino

Magnavita

2014

PLoS ONE

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ObjectiveTo determine the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), metabolic syndrome and common mental disorders in the working population of 11 small enterprises and the feasibility of a program of action for health.MethodThe clinical risk of OSAS, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and the level of psychological disorders were assessed during routine medical examination at the workplace in 2012. The response to medical advice was assessed in 2013.Results12.3% of the workers were suspected of being affected by OSAS. One or more components of metabolic syndrome were present in 24.5% of cases. OSAS in “healthy” workers was significantly associated with the presence of one or more components of metabolic syndrome (OR = 3.83; 95%CI 1.45–10.13) and with a psychological disorders score in the highest quartile (OR = 4.67; 95%CI = 1.72–12.64). Workers with suspected OSAS were reluctant to follow advice about undergoing further tests under the NHS. However, in some cases, confirmation of the OSAS diagnosis and subsequent treatment led to an improvement in metabolic condition.ConclusionAlthough participation in treatment was limited, anecdotal cases support the idea that prevention of obstructive sleep apnea in the workplace might be useful for workers’ health.

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“… [5] , [6] We studied men only, although some studies have shown no difference between men and women in this area. [16] Occupational exposures were self-reported, though six years before the outcome measures, making biased reporting of exposure with respect to outcome unlikely. Exposure data (occupational and weight measurements) were relatively crude, though resultant random error likely biases results toward the null.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[15] – [17] Furthermore, occupational exposures may be risk factors for obesity. [15] , [16] Some suggest that obesity may increase mechanical forces on the joints and change the metabolic demands of the body, both of which would lead to higher rates of MSDs. [13] , [18] Thus, the nature of the interrelationships between occupational exposures, obesity, and musculoskeletal pain are complex; more research is needed to understand the nature of such relationships.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Obesity Modify the Relationship between Exposure to Occupational Factors and Musculoskeletal Pain in Men? Results from the GAZEL Cohort Study

et al. 2014

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ObjectiveTo analyze relationships between physical occupational exposures, post-retirement shoulder/knee pain, and obesity.Methods9 415 male participants (aged 63–73 in 2012) from the French GAZEL cohort answered self-administered questionnaires in 2006 and 2012. Occupational exposures retrospectively assessed in 2006 included arm elevation and squatting (never, <10 years, ≥10 years). “Severe” shoulder and knee pain were defined as ≥5 on an 8-point scale. BMI was self-reported.ResultsMean BMI was 26.59 kg/m2 +/−3.5 in 2012. Long-term occupational exposure to arm elevation and squatting predicted severe shoulder and knee pain after retirement. Obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2) was a risk factor for severe shoulder pain (adjusted OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.03, 1.90). Overweight (adjusted OR 1.71; 1.28,2.29) and obesity (adjusted OR 3.21; 1.90,5.41) were risk factors for severe knee pain. In stratified models, associations between long-term squatting and severe knee pain varied by BMI.ConclusionObesity plays a role in relationships between occupational exposures and musculoskeletal pain. Further prospective studies should use BMI in analyses of musculoskeletal pain and occupational factors, and continue to clarify this relationship.

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The obesity epidemic in the occupational health context

Cited by 7 publications

References 18 publications

Curse or Blessing? Obesity and Income-Related Inequality in the Chinese Labor Force

Curse or Blessing? Obesity and Income-Related Inequality in the Chinese Labor Force

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), Metabolic Syndrome and Mental Health in Small Enterprise Workers. Feasibility of an Action for Health

Does Obesity Modify the Relationship between Exposure to Occupational Factors and Musculoskeletal Pain in Men? Results from the GAZEL Cohort Study

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