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[What are the associations between occupational physical activity and overweight?]
S Graff-Iversen1, S Skurtveit, M Sørensen
1Statens helseundersøkelser Postboks 8155 Dep 0033 Oslo. sidsel.graff-iversen@shus.no
Summary
Physical work shows an inverse association with body mass index in women, but not men. Heavy physical labor may be linked to higher body mass index in men, especially those inactive during leisure time.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health and environmental medicine
- Epidemiology and public health
Context:
- Rising obesity rates and declining physical activity at work in Norway.
- Need to understand the relationship between occupational demands and body mass index (BMI).
Purpose:
- To investigate the association between occupational physical activity levels and BMI in the Norwegian population.
- To analyze gender-specific differences in this relationship.
Summary:
- Among women, lighter physical work correlated with lower BMI, while heavy work correlated with higher BMI.
- In men, occupational physical activity showed a complex association with BMI, influenced by leisure-time activity and geographic location.
- A survey in Nord-Trøndelag indicated lower BMI in men with physically demanding jobs compared to sedentary ones.
Impact:
- Findings suggest physical work may not be a primary factor in weight management for women.
- For men, physical work's role in weight control might be significant in specific rural contexts and for those with active leisure pursuits.
- Highlights the nuanced interplay between work, lifestyle, and weight regulation.