Results of Examinations Conducted at a Japanese Newspaper Company and Evaluation of Changes in Metabolic Syndrome and Lifestyle Habits

Abstract

For purposes of developing effective occupational health nursing interventions, the authors clarified the long-term changes in health care data of employees in different departments at Company A, a Japanese newspaper company. Company A's clerical, sales, editing, and computer departments did not receive special occupational health activities; rather, health management centered on tertiary prevention provided through clinics. In this research, metabolic syndrome diagnostic standards were applied to all employees and changes in lifestyle risk factors over a period of 10 years were compared. The changes from 1998 to 2007 were analyzed for each occupation, and a comparison between the 1998 and 2007 groups was made using a paired t-test. Body mass index, the most significant indicator in the data, significantly increased in all departments. The researchers concluded it is essential to effectively manage employee health based on each occupation's work hours, tasks, and other work characteristics.