Obesity in Older Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Does Working Environment Add Vulnerability?

Little is known about how working adults with type 2 diabetes are managing their health. This study aims to analyze the associations between health, behavioral, and sociodemographic characteristics and obesity in older diabetic patients in Europe. Data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe was used to compare 1447 participants that were identified as having type 2 diabetes with 28,047 participants without diabetes. Multilevel logistic models stratified by type 2 diabetes examined the relationships of health, behavioral, and sociodemographic characteristics with obesity. The proportion of physical inactivity was significantly higher among those with type 2 diabetes (15.0% vs. 6.1%). Individuals with diabetes had more chronic diseases, more limitations in activities, higher body mass index, more depression, lower quality of life and well-being, and lower employment rate. Among those with type 2 diabetes, those employed were more likely to be obese (OR = 1.377, 95% CI, 1.023 to 1.853) and women were 52% more likely to be obese than men. The surveillance of weight in working environments should be required within workers with type 2 diabetes. It is concluded that this and other adjustments could be beneficial in people with diabetes.