Shift work and age as interactive predictors of body mass index among offshore workers

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated shift pattern (day shifts versus day-night rotation) and its interactions with age, and with years of shiftwork exposure, as predictors of body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Survey data were collected from offshore personnel working day shifts (N=787) or day-night shifts (N=787); information was obtained about shift pattern and years of shiftwork exposure, height, weight, demographic factors, and smoking habits. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test a model in which BMI was predicted by additive and interactive effects of shift pattern, age, and exposure years with control for confounding variables. RESULTS: In a multivariate analysis (controlling for job type, education and smoking), BMI was predicted by the main effects of age and years of shiftwork exposure. Shift pattern was not significant as a main effect, but it interacted significantly with the curvilinear age term and with the linear and curvilinear components of shiftwork exposure. In the day shift group, age but not exposure predicted BMI; the opposite was true of the day-night shift group. The increase in BMI with an increase in age and exposure years was steeper for the day-night shift group than for the day shift group. CONCLUSIONS: The significant interaction effects found in this study were consistent with the view that continued exposure to day-night shift work gives rise to increases in BMI, over and above the normative effects of ageing on BMI shown by day-shift workers.     

Psychosocial factors at work and perceived health among agricultural meat industry workers in France

Objective  The objective of this study was to describe the perceived health status of the meat industry employees—i.e., working in the slaughtering, cutting, and boning of large animals and poultry—and its relation to their organisational and psychosocial constraints at work. Methods  This postal survey included all 3,000 employees of the meat industry (beef, pork and poultry) in four districts in Brittany, France, whose companies were affiliated with the agricultural branch of the national health insurance fund. The questionnaire asked for social and demographic data and information describing their job and the organisation of their work. The psychosocial factors at work were described according to Karasek’s questionnaire (demand, latitude and social support at work). Perceived health was measured with the Nottingham Health Profile perceived health indicator. Results  This study shows the high prevalence of poor health reported by the workers in this industry. This poor perceived health was worse in women and increased regularly with age. Among the psychosocial factors studied, high quantitative and qualitative demand at work, inadequate resources for good work and to a lesser extent, inadequate prospects for promotion appear especially associated with poor perceived health. Other factors often associated with poor perceived health included young age at the first job and work hours that disrupt sleep rhythms (especially for women). Conclusion  Our results show that this population of workers is especially vulnerable from the point of view of perceived physical and psychological health and is exposed to strong physical, organisational and psychosocial constraints at work. They also demonstrate that poor perceived health is associated with some psychosocial (such as high psychological demand and insufficient resources) and organisational factors at work. These results, in conjunction with those from other disciplines involved in studying this industry, may help the companies to develop preventive activities.     

Optimism, dietary habits, body mass index and smoking among young Finnish adults

The association between optimism and health habits was evaluated among 31-year-old men and women (n=8690) born in Northern Finland in 1966. Both women and men above the upper quartile for optimism more often ate fresh vegetables and salads (women 76%/men 57%), berries (23%/9%), fruit (67%/42%), low-fat cheese (25%/16%) and salad dressing (15%/17%) than those below the lower quartile (56%/31%, 14%/5%, 52%/26%, 18%/10% and 10%/5%, respectively) with women in higher proportion than in men in each case. Pessimism was associated with infrequent consumption of foods rich in fiber and salad dressing and the proportions of high consumers of alcohol. Proportion of subjects with BMI of 30.0 kg/m2 and above and that of current smokers were higher among the pessimists than among the optimists. Thus lack of optimism is associated with a cluster of unhealthy dietary and other habits. This may at least partly explain the positive association of optimism with health found in previous studies.     

Psychosocial factors at work and myocardial infarction among men in Kaunas, Lithuania

OBJECTIVES: The association between job demand and job control and first nonfatal myocardial infarction was studied among the 25- to 64-year-old male population in Kaunas, Lithuania. METHODS: A translation of the Swedish version of the demand-control questionnaire was used. Both psychosocial work characteristics as independent risk factors and the possible effects of traditional risk factors (smoking, arterial hypertension, overweight) were analyzed in a case-control study among 203 men diagnosed in 2001-2002 with a first nonfatal myocardial infarction (cases) and 287 men randomly selected as controls. A logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio for developing myocardial infarction in relation to self-reported job demand and job control. Possible confounders (age, marital status, education, type of occupation, smoking, blood pressure, body mass index) were controlled. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratio was 0.56 [95% confidence interval (95% CI 0.37-0.85)] and 1.53 (95% CI 1.04-2.38), for demand and control, respectively. That for workers with low demand and low control was 1.89 (95% CI 0.99-3.60) as compared with low demand and high control. The risk of myocardial infarction for men in passive jobs (low demand and low control) was twofold that of the other respondents. CONCLUSIONS: The association between low job control and the risk of myocardial infarction was found to be consistent with research in western populations. In contradiction, however, to findings in western studies, low demand, rather than high demand proved to be a risk factor for 25- to 64-year-old men. Employees in passive jobs had the highest risk.     

广东省居民吸烟行为与体重指数关系的研究

目的探索广东省居民吸烟行为对体重指数的影响。方法采用多阶段分层随机抽样的方法,2010年对广东省广州市越秀区、云浮市云城区、汕尾市城区、梅州的五华县、肇庆的四会市以及韶关的南雄市6个市（县、区）随机选取18岁及以上常住居民。利用集中调查和入户调查相结合的方式进行问卷调查和体格检查。问卷内容包括个人基本信息、吸烟、饮酒、饮食、身体活动、家庭经济状况等。采用率、比等指标进行统计学描述,均数间的比较用t检验和方差分析,利用多重线性回归以及协方差分析来研究吸烟行为与体重指数的关系。结果共调查3591人,其中男性1621人（45．14％）,女性1970人（54．86％）。其中调查人群的现在吸烟率为22．86％（821／3591）,过去吸烟率为4．85％（174／3591）,从不吸烟率为72．29％（2596／3591）。调查人群的体重指数平均值为22．96±3．32,从不吸烟、现在吸烟以及过去吸烟人群的体重指数均值分别为23．29±3．64、22．76±3．35、23．01-1-3．28。控制了性别、年龄、职业、文化程度、家庭人均收入水平、饮酒和运动量之后,发现现在吸烟1—9支／d、现在吸烟10～19支／d与不吸烟的BMI的均数之间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,其中三者BMI的均数（95％凹）分别为22．27（21．75—22．80）、22．12（21．66—22．59）、23．03（22．90～23．16）。利用多重线性回归分析,控制性别、年龄、职业、文化程度以及饮酒等混杂因素之后,现在吸烟与体重指数呈负相关,其偏回归系数值为一0．552（P〈0．05）。结论广东省居民的吸烟率仍维持在较高水平,吸烟与BMI成负相关,但是吸烟导致BMI值降低的非常小。     

Cross-sectional study on the relationship between body mass index and smoking, and longitudinal changes in body mass index in relation to change in smoking status: the Tromso Study

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of smoking and other lifestyle factors on body mass index (BMI), and changes in BMI in relation to changes in smoking status. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 10,920 males (3937 smokers) and 12,090 females (4343 smokers) who participated in the fourth Troms? Study (performed in 1994-95). A longitudinal study was performed on 2364 males (732 smokers in 1994-95) and 2738 females (942 smokers in 1994-95) who participated in both the fourth and the fifth Troms? studies (performed in 2001). RESULTS: In the cross-sectional study, current smokers of both genders had a lower BMI (25.0+/-3.4 vs. 25.5+/-3.2 kg/m(2) in males, and 23.9+/-3.9 vs. 25.3+/-4.6 kg/m( 2) in females, p<0.01), a lower degree of physical activity, and a higher consumption of coffee and alcohol than never-smokers. We found a U-shaped relationship between number of cigarettes smoked per day and BMI, with the lowest BMI in those smoking 6- 10 cigarettes per day. Heavy smokers and never-smokers had similar BMI. In the longitudinal study, continuing smokers had a smaller increase in BMI than those who gave up smoking. In those who gave up smoking, there was a significant, positive relationship between number of cigarettes smoked in 1994-95 and increase in BMI. CONCLUSIONS: There is a U-shaped relationship between number of cigarettes smoked per day and BMI. Smoking cessation is associated with an increase in weight as compared to those who continue smoking.     

Prognostic factors for respiratory sickness absence and return to work among blue collar workers and office personnel

OBJECTIVES—To analyze factors that determine the occurrence of sickness absence due to respiratory disorders and the time it takes to return to work.
METHODS—A longitudinal study with 2 year follow up was conducted among 326 male blue collar and white collar workers. The survey started with an interview on respiratory complaints and spirometry. Sixty six (21%) workers were lost to follow up. Complete data on sickness absence among 251 workers during the follow up were collected from absence records and self reports. Regression analysis based on a proportional hazards model was applied to identify risk factors for the occurrence and duration of sickness absence due to respiratory disorders.
RESULTS—During the follow up 35% workers attributed at least one period of sickness absence to respiratory complaints, which accounted for 14.2% of all days lost. A history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) did not predict sickness absence for COPD; the same was true for chronic non-specific lung disease (CNSLD). Complaints about asthma contributed significantly to absence due to asthma (relative risk (RR) 3.96; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.99 to 7.90). Job title was a significant predictor of sickness absence due to respiratory complaints. Decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC, <80% of the reference value) was also a significant predictor of absence due to asthma (RR 4.03; 95% CI 1.41 to 11.54) and of respiratory absence (RR 2.49; 95% CI 1.07 to 5.79). Absence with respiratory complaints was not associated with age, height, body mass index, or smoking. Duration of employment was a weak almost significant predictor against respiratory absenteeism (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.91 to 0.97). Return to work after respiratory absence was worse for blue collar workers than office personnel (RR 5.74; 95% CI 1.90 to 17.4 for welders, and RR 6.43; 95% CI 2.08 to 19.85 for metal workers).
CONCLUSIONS—Asthmatic complaints in the 12 months before the study were associated with sickness absence for these complaints during the follow up. An abnormal level of FVC also influenced respiratory absenteeism. Blue collar workers had more often and more prolonged absences due to respiratory disorders than white collar workers. Workers with absence due to respiratory complaints were at higher risk of subsequent sickness absence in the next year.


Keywords: respiratory complaints; sickness absence; return to work     

Influence of body mass index and work activity on the prevalence of median mononeuropathy at the wrist.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which proposed risk factor, work activity (industrial v clerical), body mass index (BMI), or other demographic factors had the most influence on the prevalence of median mononeuropathy at the wrist, and if there was an interaction between the risk factors. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study of active workers at five different worksites; four were industrial sites and one was clerical. 527 workers were recruited--164 clerical and 363 industrial. The presence of a median mononeuropathy in either hand was measured by electrodiagnostic techniques comparing median and ulnar sensory latencies. RESULTS: 30% of workers had an abnormality of the median sensory nerve at the wrist (34% of the industrial v 21% of the clerical workers). The adjusted risk for industrial workers was twice that of clerical workers. Obese workers (BMI > 29) were four times more likely to present with a median mononeuropathy than workers who were normal or slender (BMI < 25). There was no significant interaction between BMI and worksite in relation to median mononeuropathy. Increasing age was also related to an increased risk of median mononeuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity, industrial work, and age are independent risk factors that influence the prevalence of median mononeuropathies among active workers.     

The role of beverage consumption,physical activity,sedentary behavior,and demographics on body mass index of adolescents

The percentage of US adolescents who are overweight or at-risk of overweight has increased over the past 20 years. Using data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988–1994, multivariate regression models of body mass index (BMI) for adolescent males and females aged 12–16 years were developed to examine the relative importance of demographics, beverage consumption, physical activity, and sedentary behavior for maintaining a healthy body weight. The models explained between 11% and 19% of the variance in BMI. Demographic characteristics accounted for roughly one-half of the explained variance in the models. Age was positively associated with BMI for males and females. Family income had a negative association with BMI for females, but no association with BMI for males. The variables for race/ethnicity and region were only occasionally statistically significant. A strong negative association was found between BMI and participation in team sports or exercise programs for both males and females. The estimate of the relationship between television viewing and BMI was positive but not statistically significant. Consumption of regular carbonated soft drinks (RCSD) and fruit drinks/ades—two beverages widely hypothesized to be positively associated with BMI—were not statistically significant in any of the models. Consumption of diet carbonated soft drinks was very low and was positively associated with BMI for females but not for males. The potential impacts of increasing participation in teams or exercise programs, reducing television viewing, and reducing RCSD consumption on BMI were examined. Increasing participation in teams or exercise programs consistently had the largest impact on reducing predicted BMI. The impact of reducing television viewing had the next largest impact. Reducing consumption of RCSD had the smallest impact. Policies that revitalize physical activity and physical education programs for all students—not just student athletes—and educational efforts that discourage sedentary behavior will be far more successful in combating overweight than an undue focus on beverage consumption.     

Psychosocial factors at work and sickness absence in the Gazel cohort: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To test whether psychosocial factors at work are predictors of rates of sickness absence. METHODS: The study population consisted of middle aged men and women employed by the French national electricity and gas company (EDF-GDF) in various occupations and followed up since 1989 by annual self administered questionnaires and independent data obtained from the medical and personnel departments of EDF-GDF. The 1995 questionnaire provided information about three psychosocial work factors: psychological demands, decision latitude, and social support at work. Sick-ness absence data were provided by the company's social security department. The occurrence of spells and days of absence in the 12 months after completion of the 1995 questionnaire was studied. Potential confounding variables were age, smoking, alcohol, and marital status, assessed in the 1995 questionnaire, and educational level and occupation, assessed from data provided by the personnel department. This study was restricted to the 12,555 subjects of the initial cohort who were still working and answered the self administered questionnaire in 1995. RESULTS: Low levels of decision latitude were associated with more frequent and longer sickness absences among men and women. Low levels of social support at work increased the numbers of spells and days of absence among men only. These associations weakened after adjustment for potential confounding factors, but remained significant. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that psychosocial factors at work, especially decision latitude, are predictive of sickness absence.

 

     

The role of beverage consumption, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and demographics on body mass index of adolescents

The percentage of US adolescents who are overweight or at-risk of overweight has increased over the past 20 years. Using data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988-1994, multivariate regression models of body mass index (BMI) for adolescent males and females aged 12-16 years were developed to examine the relative importance of demographics, beverage consumption, physical activity, and sedentary behavior for maintaining a healthy body weight. The models explained between 11% and 19% of the variance in BMI. Demographic characteristics accounted for roughly one-half of the explained variance in the models. Age was positively associated with BMI for males and females. Family income had a negative association with BMI for females, but no association with BMI for males. The variables for race/ethnicity and region were only occasionally statistically significant. A strong negative association was found between BMI and participation in team sports or exercise programs for both males and females. The estimate of the relationship between television viewing and BMI was positive but not statistically significant. Consumption of regular carbonated soft drinks (RCSD) and fruit drinks/ades--two beverages widely hypothesized to be positively associated with BMI--were not statistically significant in any of the models. Consumption of diet carbonated soft drinks was very low and was positively associated with BMI for females but not for males. The potential impacts of increasing participation in teams or exercise programs, reducing television viewing, and reducing RCSD consumption on BMI were examined. Increasing participation in teams or exercise programs consistently had the largest impact on reducing predicted BMI. The impact of reducing television viewing had the next largest impact. Reducing consumption of RCSD had the smallest impact. Policies that revitalize physical activity and physical education programs for all students--not just student athletes--and educational efforts that discourage sedentary behavior will be far more successful in combating overweight than an undue focus on beverage consumption.     

Work-system risk factors for permanent work disability among home-care workers: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE: There is a growing need for home-care services in western societies. As home-care workers show high levels of absence related to poor health it is important that we broaden our knowledge about what factors in the work system contribute to this. The aim of this study was to explore and estimate the impact of the work system on permanent work disability and its relative importance compared with home-life risks among home-care workers. METHODS: The cases (617 subjects) were all home-care workers in Sweden, whose disability pension was approved in 1997 or 1998. The controls (771 subjects) were home-care workers still working. We used a questionnaire to gain situation-specific information on working life and home life 5 and 15 years before disability pension entitlement. RESULTS: The most important risk factors in the work system were poor ergonomic/lifting conditions, time pressure and lack of professional caring technique. Fifteen years prior to disability pension entitlement, insufficient management (odds ratio (OR) 95%, CI 2.6[1.6;4.2]) and relational problems at work were also risk factors. Five years before disability pension entitlement, poor organisational support (4.1 [2.5;6.7]), opportunities for co-working and working climate (3.5 [2.4;5.2]) were also strongly related to a persisting work ability. The magnitude of exposure to a number of risk factors had an increased effect (highest 13.8 [5.6-33.8]). The strongest risk factor in home life was little opportunity to rest from work (4.9 [3.0;8.0]). The risk factors in working life were robust to the inclusion of the grouped risk factors of home life. CONCLUSIONS: The conclusion was that risk factors related to the work system are, alone, strongly related to permanent work disability among home-care workers. Also, exposure to several of the risk factors constitutes a notably strong risk for permanent work disability.     

Effects of overtime work on blood pressure and body mass index in Japanese male workers

BACKGROUND: Effects of overtime work on health is a controversial issue. AIMS: To determine the effects of overtime work on blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) for male workers in Japan. METHODS: Participants were 323 male participants of three companies. Data were collected by occupational physicians at periodic physical examinations and additional examinations. The time courses for the development of definite hypertension and an increase in BMI were recorded. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the cumulative incidence rates of developing definite hypertension and increasing BMI, and the Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine the adjusted relative hazard of overtime work. RESULTS: The age-adjusted incidence rates of developing definite hypertension and increasing BMI were significantly lower among the participants whose mean overtime was > or =50 h than among those whose mean overtime was <50 h/month (log-rank P < 0.05). The Cox proportional hazard model indicated that those who worked a mean overtime of > or =50 h/month had lower risks of developing definite hypertension (hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.15-0.88; P < 0.05) and increasing their BMI (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.31-0.63; P < 0.01) after adjusting for age. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that workers whose mean overtime was > or =50 h have lower risks of developing definite hypertension and increasing their BMI.     

Risks,survival and trends of malignant melanoma among white and blue collar workers in Sweden

All persons in Sweden, classified as white or blue collar workers in the 1960 Population Census, were followed up for the period 1961–1973 with regard to the occurrence of cancer. The SMRs were calculated for 50 tumour sites and it was found that the crude classification of occupations into white or blue collar workers was particularly important for malignant melanoma risk.The number of malignant melanoma cases among blue collar workers was significantly lower than expected while it was significantly higher than expected among the white collar workers. This was true for men as well as for women. The SMRs were calculated to be 87 and 141 (men) and 79 and 117 (women), respectively.Comparing the relative survival probabilities it was found that white collar workers had a higher probability of survival than blue collar workers. This might indicate that the difference in occurrence could be dependent on early detection as well as differential risk.The incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing faster than any other kind of tumour in Sweden. For the period 1961–1970 the incidence rate increased two-fold for blue collar workers and more than two-fold for white collar workers (men). In absolute terms the white collar workers in the age group 45–64 had an appreciably faster increase in incidence over this period compared to all other groups studied.     

The relationships between eating habits, smoking and alcohol consumption, and body mass index among baby boomers

The study was to examine the eating habits of baby boomers and to investigate the relationship of these and other lifestyle habits on their reported body mass indices (BMI). A questionnaire was administered by mail to a random sample of people aged 40 years and above, drawn from the Electoral Rolls in Victoria, Australia. Part of the questionnaire contained questions about the respondents’ eating habits, smoking status and alcohol use, as well as self reported heights and weights and demographic characteristics. Eight hundred and forty-four people (out of 1470) returned usable questionnaires. Statistically significant differences were found between the eating habits of men and women. Generally, more women snacked on high energy dense foods (e.g., confectionery). More men took larger mouthfuls than women. The eating habits of women appeared to be more formal than men’s. Four constructs named: unconstrained eating, traditional eating style, gulping, and chocolate and junk food were derived from the eating behaviour literature. Structural equation modelling showed that eating behaviour was associated with BMI along with current smoking, ex-smoking status, alcohol consumption, and demographics. Eating habits and other lifestyle behaviours appear to be associated with BMI though in different pathways for men and women.     

Waist circumference, body mass index and health risk factors among middle aged Thais

Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) are important contributors to major causes of health risk factors such as high blood cholesterol, high fasting blood sugar and high blood pressure. This analysis was designed to assess the associations between WC, BMI and each health risk factor in suitable cut-off points for WC and BMI among middle aged men and women of Thai population. Cross sectional data from the Second National Health Survey in Thailand was analysed. This set of data collected by the Ministry of Public Health from 1996 to 1997 was obtained from a total of 998 subjects (comprising 396 men and 602 women) aged 45-50. Results from the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC curve) identified those with health risk factors demonstrating cut-off points for WC between 81.5-84 centimeters for men and 76-80.5 centimeters for women and BMI between 23.3-23.9 kg/m2 for both genders, respectively. Results from the Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated lower risks of having high blood cholesterol, high fasting blood sugar and high blood pressure with cutoff points 84 cm for men, 80 cm for women and BMI 23 kg/m2 for both genders compared to cut-off points 102 cm for men, 88 cm for women and BMI 25 kg/m2 for both genders as specified for the population in Western countries. This study has proposed a waist circumference of 84 cm (33.6 inches) for middle aged Thai men and 80 cm (32 inches) for middle aged Thai women and BMI of 23 kg/m2 for both genders. Monitoring changes in the waist circumference over time along with BMI may be convenient and useful for middle aged Thais to prevent health risk conditions, even in the absence of a change in BMI.