Occupational stress and its association with obesity among Healthcare Workers in Madinah

Occupational stress among healthcare workers (HCWs) is a worldwide concern despite its substantial impact on workers. It could impact the health status of the HCWs by reducing their quality of life and affecting their job performance. Additionally, HCWs are susceptible to obesity because of their work schedules and sedentary lifestyle. This study explored the relationship between occupational stress and obesity among HCWs in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

An analytical cross-sectional study was designed in primary healthcare centers in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from November 2024 until January 2025. Data was collected through a questionnaire that was randomly distributed. The questionnaire contained the Occupational Stress Index (OSI) tool to assess the stress level among the HCWs.

A total of 232 HCWs were enrolled in the study. More than half were females, 122 (52.8%), and 40.5% were between 30 and 40 years old. About 53.4% of the included HCWs expressed a moderate occupational stress level, and 37.7% were obese. The median OSI score was significantly higher among females than males [83 vs 80; p value 0.032]. HCWs aged 30 to 50 years and years of practice had a significant association with BMI values, with a p value of 0.001 and 0.006. There was a non-significant, nearly negligible correlation between obesity and occupational stress.

This study found that female health workers were significantly more stressed than males. Healthcare organizations might include mandatory regular screening for obesity and mental health for their HCWs and early intervention programs.