Abstract
ObjectiveThis study investigated associations between the co-existence of multiple types of work-related psychosocial and physical risk factors, and (1) obesity; (2) smoking; and (3) leisure-time physical inactivity. It also aimed to identify sociodemographic characteristics related to clustering of work-related risk factors and lifestyle factors.MethodsCross-sectional data on work-related risk factors (e.g., decision authority and repetitive movements) and lifestyle was measured using a standardized questionnaire among 52,563 Dutch workers in health care, services, manufacturing and public sector. Multiple-adjusted logistic regression models assessed associations between the co-existence of multiple types of psychosocial and physical risk factors and lifestyle factors. Additionally, logistic regression models related age, gender and educational level to clustering of risk factors and lifestyle factors.ResultsThe co-existence of multiple types of work-related psychosocial risk factors was associated with higher odds of smoking and being physically inactive. For example, workers exposed to three psychosocial risk factors had a 1.55 times higher odds of being physically inactive (95%CI: 1.42–1.70) compared to unexposed workers. A higher number of physical risk factors was also significantly associated with higher odds of smoking and obesity. The co-existence of multiple types of physical risk factors was not associated with higher odds of physical inactivity. Clustering of work-related risk factors and at least one unhealthy lifestyle factor occurred in particular among workers with low educational level.ConclusionsResults imply that interventions are needed that focus on workers with a low educational level and address work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors as well as lifestyle.
Highlights
The prevalence of obesity and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors among adults is high
The co-existence of multiple types of work-related psychosocial risk factors was significantly associated with a higher odds of being a smoker and being physically inactive but was not associated with obesity
The co-existence of multiple types of work-related physical risk factors was significantly associated with a higher odds of being a smoker and obese but not with physical inactivity during leisure time
Summary
The prevalence of obesity and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors among adults is high. In Europe, approximately 16% of the adult population is obese (Marques et al 2017), 24% smokes (Reitsma et al 2017), and 29% is physically inactive (Dumith et al 2011; Sjöström et al 2006). The co-existence of multiple types of work-related risk factors might cluster with unhealthy lifestyle factors among the same workers From their study it is, still unclear whether this is the case for both physical and psychosocial risk factors, while the association with lifestyle factors may differ between these risk factors because of different underlying mechanisms (Nobrega et al 2016). For the latter strategy it is needed to identify subgroups of workers with the highest risk of health problems It might, be helpful to identify subgroups of workers in whom multiple types of work-related risk factors and unhealthy lifestyle factors cluster. The present study aimed to investigate associations between the co-existence of multiple work-related psychosocial and physical risk factors, and (1) obesity; (2) smoking; and (3) physical inactivity during leisure time among Dutch workers. Our study gives indications regarding the specific groups on whom the integral prevention strategies might be focused
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