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Relative weight and disability retirement: a prospective cohort study
Eira Roos1, Mikko Laaksonen, Ossi Rahkonen
1Hjelt Institute, Department of Public Health, PO Box 41, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. eira.roos@fimnet.fi
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
|October 13, 2012
Summary
Maintaining a healthy weight significantly reduces the risk of disability retirement. Obesity increases this risk, particularly for musculoskeletal diseases, highlighting the need for improved physical function and obesity management.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Obesity is a growing public health concern with potential links to work-related health issues.
- Disability retirement represents a significant socioeconomic burden, influenced by various health factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between relative weight and disability retirement.
- To explore the role of diagnosed diseases, functioning, and working conditions in this association.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 6542 middle-aged employees in Helsinki, Finland.
- Data linkage between questionnaires and disability retirement registers.
- Mean follow-up period of 7.8 years.
Main Results:
- Higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with increased all-cause disability retirement risk.
- Severely obese and obese individuals faced significantly higher risks (HR 3.45 and 1.94, respectively).
- Musculoskeletal diseases showed a strong association with obesity-related disability retirement.
Conclusions:
- Maintaining normal weight is crucial for reducing disability retirement risk.
- Interventions for obese employees should focus on enhancing physical functioning and managing comorbidities.
- Working conditions had minimal impact on the weight-disability retirement association.
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