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Increased risk of coronary heart disease in Japanese blue-collar workers
S Nakamura1, K Nakamura, M Tanaka
1Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Japan.
Insights
Blue-collar workers show higher risks for coronary heart disease due to increased intra-abdominal fat. Lifestyle factors like less exercise and unhealthy habits contribute to these health disparities.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) risk is influenced by various physiological and lifestyle factors.
- Understanding occupational differences in health markers is crucial for targeted public health interventions.
- Previous research suggests socioeconomic status may correlate with health outcomes, but specific occupational group data is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that blue-collar workers face a higher risk of coronary heart disease.
- To compare physiological measurements and lifestyle factors between blue-collar and white-collar workers.
- To identify specific health markers associated with blue-collar occupations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 653 male and 492 female workers from a computer manufacturing company in 1993.
- Measurements included body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), skinfold thickness, blood pressure, grip strength, back strength, vertical jump, and trunk flexion.
- Self-reported data on exercise, snacking, smoking, and alcohol consumption were collected.
Main Results:
- Male blue-collar workers exhibited significantly higher WHR, systolic blood pressure, grip strength, and trunk flexion compared to white-collar males.
- Female blue-collar workers showed significantly higher BMI, WHR, and grip strength than white-collar females.
- Blue-collar workers reported less exercise, and higher rates of snacking (females), smoking, and alcohol consumption (males).
Conclusions:
- Blue-collar workers, irrespective of sex, possess greater intra-abdominal fat compared to white-collar workers.
- Lifestyle factors, including reduced physical activity and unhealthy habits, likely contribute to the observed physiological differences.
- These findings highlight a potential increased risk for coronary heart disease among blue-collar workers, necessitating further investigation and targeted health strategies.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that blue-collar workers have an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Subjects were 653 male (mean age, 32.6 years) and 492 female (mean age, 26.3 years) workers employed during 1993 at a computer manufacturing company. The measurements determined were body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), skinfold thickness, blood pressure, grip strength, back strength, vertical jump and trunk flexion. Male blue-collar workers had significantly higher WHR (P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (P = 0.031), grip strength (P = 0.030), and standing flexion (P = 0.038) than do white-collar workers. Female blue-collar workers had significantly higher BMI (P = 0.018), WHR (P < 0.001), and grip strength (P = 0.007). Blue-collar workers took significantly less exercise, and habitually snacked (females only), smoked and drank more alcohol (males only) than white-collar workers. In conclusion, blue-collar workers have more intra-abdominal fat than white-collar workers of either sex. The difference may be due to factors contributing to the less healthy lifestyles of blue-collar workers.