Abstract
This study investigates whether the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), and its components, differs by occupational group among older workers (45–65 years) and whether health behaviors (smoking, leisure-time physical activity, diet quality, and alcohol consumption) can explain these differences. A sample of older workers (N = 34,834) from the North of the Netherlands was investigated. We analyzed data from two comprehensive measurement waves of the Lifelines Cohort Study and Biobank. MetS components were determined by physical measurements, blood markers, medication use, and self-reports. Occupational group and health behaviors were assessed by questionnaires. The association between occupational groups and MetS incidence was examined using logistic regression analysis. Health behaviors were subsequently added to the model to examine whether they can explain differences in MetS incidence between occupational groups. Low skilled white-collar (OR: 1.24; 95 % CI: 1.12, 1.37) and low skilled blue-collar (OR: 1.37; 95 % CI: 1.18, 1.59) workers had a significantly higher MetS incidence risk than high skilled white-collar workers. Similar occupational differences were observed on MetS component level. Combinations of unhealthy behaviors were more prevalent among blue-collar workers. MetS incidence in older workers differs between occupational groups and health behaviors explain a substantial part of these differences. Health promotion tailored to occupational groups may be beneficial specifically among older low skilled blue-collar workers. Research into other factors that contribute to occupational differences is needed as well as studies spanning the entire working life course.
Highlights
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major public health concern (Eckel, Grundy, & Zimmet, 2005; Saklayen, 2018)
Higher alcohol consumption was associated with a significantly lower incidence risk of all MetS components. In this 3.85-year follow-up study among N = 34,834 older workers from the Netherlands, occupational group membership was associated with MetS incidence
Health be haviors explained a substantial part of the MetS incidence differences among occupational groups
Summary
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major public health concern (Eckel, Grundy, & Zimmet, 2005; Saklayen, 2018). In 2018, the esti mated global prevalence of MetS was 25 % with an increasing trend (Saklayen, 2018). MetS incidence resembles Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) incidence, which increases with age and peaks at 25 % among the age of 65 years and older (Saklayen, 2018). MetS encom passes a combination of at least three risk factors, the major driving force is the MetS component abdominal obesity, related to the global obesity epidemic (Eckel et al, 2005; Wang & Beydoun, 2007). When studying MetS, it is important to investigate the overall syndrome and the individual underlying components
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