Lars L Andersen1,2, Mikel Izquierdo3, Emil Sundstrup4. 1. National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. lla@nrcwe.dk. 2. Physical Activity and Human Performance Group, SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark. lla@nrcwe.dk. 3. Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31500, Tudela, Navarra, Spain. 4. National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Obesity is associated with many diseases and functional limitations. Workplaces are not always designed to accommodate this challenge. This study investigated the association between body mass index (BMI) and work ability in the general working population. METHODS: Currently employed wage earners (N = 10,427) from the 2010 round of the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study (DWECS) replied to questions about work and health. Cumulative logistic regression analyses controlling for age, gender, physical and psychosocial work factors, lifestyle, and chronic diseases modeled the associations between BMI and work ability. RESULTS: BMIs above the normal range were progressively associated with lower work ability in relation to the physical demands of the job. Odds ratios for having lower work ability were 1.11 (95% CI 1.01-1.22), 1.17 (95% CI 1.01-1.34), 1.43 (95% CI 1.09-1.88), 1.69 (95% CI 1.10-2.62) for overweight and obesity classes I, II, and III, respectively. In subgroup analyses, the associations between BMI and work ability were more pronounced among individuals with mainly sedentary work than among those with physically active work. BMI was not associated with work ability in relation to the mental demands of the work. CONCLUSIONS: BMIs above the normal range are progressively associated with lower work ability in relation to the physical demands of the job, especially among individuals with mainly sedentary work. Ergonomic research on how to optimally design workstations for workers with obesity are needed.
PURPOSE:Obesity is associated with many diseases and functional limitations. Workplaces are not always designed to accommodate this challenge. This study investigated the association between body mass index (BMI) and work ability in the general working population. METHODS: Currently employed wage earners (N = 10,427) from the 2010 round of the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study (DWECS) replied to questions about work and health. Cumulative logistic regression analyses controlling for age, gender, physical and psychosocial work factors, lifestyle, and chronic diseases modeled the associations between BMI and work ability. RESULTS: BMIs above the normal range were progressively associated with lower work ability in relation to the physical demands of the job. Odds ratios for having lower work ability were 1.11 (95% CI 1.01-1.22), 1.17 (95% CI 1.01-1.34), 1.43 (95% CI 1.09-1.88), 1.69 (95% CI 1.10-2.62) for overweight and obesity classes I, II, and III, respectively. In subgroup analyses, the associations between BMI and work ability were more pronounced among individuals with mainly sedentary work than among those with physically active work. BMI was not associated with work ability in relation to the mental demands of the work. CONCLUSIONS: BMIs above the normal range are progressively associated with lower work ability in relation to the physical demands of the job, especially among individuals with mainly sedentary work. Ergonomic research on how to optimally design workstations for workers with obesity are needed.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adults; BMI; Lifestyle disease; Obesity; Overweight; Underweight; Work ability index
Authors: Paul A Schulte; Gregory R Wagner; Aleck Ostry; Laura A Blanciforti; Robert G Cutlip; Kristine M Krajnak; Michael Luster; Albert E Munson; James P O'Callaghan; Christine G Parks; Petia P Simeonova; Diane B Miller Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2007-01-31 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Seyed M Alavinia; Tilja I J van den Berg; Cor van Duivenbooden; Leo A M Elders; Alex Burdorf Journal: Scand J Work Environ Health Date: 2009-06-23 Impact factor: 5.024
Authors: Kirsten Nabe-Nielsen; Anne Helene Garde; Thomas Clausen; Marie Birk Jørgensen Journal: Scand J Work Environ Health Date: 2014-11-24 Impact factor: 5.024
Authors: Inger M Oellingrath; Marit Müller De Bortoli; Martin Veel Svendsen; Anne Kristin Møller Fell Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-04-03 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Rúni Bláfoss; Emil Sundstrup; Markus D Jakobsen; Mikkel Brandt; Hans Bay; Lars L Andersen Journal: Eur J Public Health Date: 2019-10-01 Impact factor: 3.367
Authors: Catherine H Linaker; Stefania D'Angelo; Holly E Syddall; E Clare Harris; Cyrus Cooper; Karen Walker-Bone Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-03-03 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Yasmin Ezzatvar; Joaquín Calatayud; Lars L Andersen; Adrian Escriche-Escuder; Marta Aguilar; Jose Casaña Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-22 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Sebastian Venge Skovlund; Rúni Bláfoss; Emil Sundstrup; Lars L Andersen Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2020-03-14 Impact factor: 2.362