Effect of Body Mass Index on work related musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational stress of computer workers in a developed ergonomic setup

Vijay Imbanathan,Jasobanta Sethi,Jaspal Singh Sandhu

doi:10.1186/1758-2555-3-22

Abstract

BackgroundWork urgency, accuracy and demands compel the computer professionals to spend longer hours before computers without giving importance to their health, especially body weight. Increase of body weight leads to improper Body Mass Index (BMI) may aggravate work related musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational-psychosocial stress. The objective of the study was to find out the effect of BMI on work related musculoskeletal discomforts and occupational stress of computer workers in a developed ergonomic setup.MethodsA descriptive inferential study has been taken to analyze the effect of BMI on work related musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational-psychosocial stress. A total of 100 computer workers, aged 25-35 years randomly selected on convenience from software and BPO companies in Bangalore city, India for the participation in this study. BMI was calculated by taking the ratio of the subject's height (in meter) and weight (in kilogram). Work related musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational stress of the subjects was assessed by Cornell University's musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire (CMDQ) and occupational stress index (OSI) respectively as well as a relationship was checked with their BMI.ResultsA significant association (p < 0.001) was seen among high BMI subjects with their increase scores of musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational stress.ConclusionFrom this study, it has been concluded that, there is a significant effect of BMI in increasing of work related musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational-psychosocial stress among computer workers in a developed ergonomic setup.

Highlights

Work urgency, accuracy and demands compel the computer professionals to spend longer hours before computers without giving importance to their health, especially body weight
Maximum 60% of subjects were noted in the age group of 31-35 years with involvement of Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) and Occupational-psychosocial Stress (OS) (Table 1), whereas 64% of subjects were noted in high Body Mass Index (BMI) group (Table 2)
Maximum Cornell University’s musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire (CMDQ) score was noted in the overweight group (Mean, 46.23) followed by normal weight group (Mean, 26.13) and underweight group (Mean, 11.00), because overweight may contribute to increasing work related musculoskeletal disorders due to more weight loads on tissues

Summary

Introduction

Accuracy and demands compel the computer professionals to spend longer hours before computers without giving importance to their health, especially body weight. Increase of body weight leads to improper Body Mass Index (BMI) may aggravate work related musculoskeletal discomfort and occupationalpsychosocial stress. The objective of the study was to find out the effect of BMI on work related musculoskeletal discomforts and occupational stress of computer workers in a developed ergonomic setup. Other commonly used terms include Ergonomic Disorders, Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) and Repetitive Strain Injuries. These disorders develop gradually over a period of week, months or even years due. Office workers in United States have experienced an increase in CTD since 1986 [2]. The incidence of neck disorders as a source of musculoskeletal impairment or disability is second to lower back disorders [4]

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