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Gender differences in the association of age with physical workload and functioning
A Aittomäki1, E Lahelma, E Roos
1Department of Public Health, PO Box 41, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. akseli.aittomaki@helsinki.fi
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|January 20, 2005
Summary
Physically demanding work declines with age, impacting physical functioning differently between genders. Older women experience a stronger link between strenuous jobs and health decline compared to older men.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Gerontology
- Sociology of Work
Background:
- Physically demanding work is a significant factor in employee health and well-being.
- Understanding age-related differences in occupational demands and their health consequences is crucial for workplace interventions.
- Gender disparities in physically demanding occupations and their impact on health require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if physically demanding work is less common among older employees compared to younger ones.
- To investigate if the association between physically demanding work and declining physical functioning is stronger in older employees.
- To examine gender differences in these associations.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 5802 employees aged 40-60 from the City of Helsinki.
- Data collected via mail questionnaires in 2000-2001.
- Physical functioning assessed using the SF36 health questionnaire's Role Limitations due to Physical Health Problems scale; logistic regression analysis employed.
Main Results:
- A linear trend showed physically demanding work decreased with age, more pronounced in men.
- Both age and physically demanding work were linked to poorer physical functioning.
- The association between physically demanding work and poor functioning was stronger in older women than younger women, but the opposite was true for men.
Conclusions:
- Physically demanding work appears to cause more health issues in older women than older men.
- Occupational segregation by gender may contribute to these differences, with women in high-demand roles (e.g., healthcare) potentially facing greater risks.
- While cross-sectional data cannot confirm exit from strenuous jobs, findings suggest distinct patterns of physically demanding work exposure and health impacts between genders in older age groups.