The Association Between Work Ability and Body Composition Among Thai Farm Workers

Higher skeletal muscle improves farm workers' work ability. Increased body fat percentage negatively impacts work capacity. Reducing subcutaneous fat enhances physical performance in farm workers. Promoting healthy body composition is essential for improving work ability.

Farm work is highly physical, often involving repetitive tasks, awkward postures, and heavy lifting, which can contribute to musculoskeletal disorders. Body composition, including skeletal muscle and fat percentages, is critical for work ability (WA), influencing strength and endurance. The current study investigated the association between WA and body composition among Thai farm workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 126 corn farm workers in Nan Province, Thailand. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and WA (assessed using the Work Ability Index, WAI). Body composition variables, including body mass index, body fat percentage (BFP), subcutaneous fat percentage (SFP), and skeletal muscle percentage (SMP), were measured using a body composition analyzer. The association between body composition and WA was analyzed using multiple regression analysis to control the effects of confounding factors. The average WAI score was 37.3 (standard deviation = 5.6), with 42.9% of participants classified as having good WA. A significant positive association was found between WA and SMP (whole body, trunk, arms, and legs) (p < 0.001). Conversely, WA was negatively associated with SFP (trunk and legs) (p < 0.01), as well as SFP (whole body) and BFP (p < 0.001). The findings suggest that maintaining a higher SMP and reducing excess fat, particularly subcutaneous fat, can enhance WA in farm workers. These results highlight the importance of promoting healthy body composition to improve physical performance and work capacity in this workforce.