Results of a study on occupational and non-occupational determinants of obesity among blue-collar workers

Obesity is a serious health problem among workers. Blue-collar workers, despite the fact that their work involves physical effort, may also have difficulty maintaining a healthy body weight. A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among blue-collar workers employed in various sectors of industry. The study also examined the influence of selected occupational and non-occupational factors on excessive body mass in this group of workers.

The survey was conducted using the computer assisted personal interview method among a group of 542 men, blue-collar workers aged 25-65 years, with an average age of 43.9 years.

Excessive body weight, defined by body mass index, was present in 61.1% of the study group of men. In almost half of the overweight and obese subjects, waist circumference values exceeded 94 cm, which is characteristic of abdominal obesity. Overweight and obese workers were significantly more likely to work >40 h/week, had poorer work ability measured by the Work Ability Index (WAI) and lower activity measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) compared to normal-weight workers.

It seems that for the subjects studied, the key to achieving or maintaining normal weight should be to strengthen lifestyle activities. Workplaces should play a supportive role by encouraging recreational activities and providing adequate time for rest and recovery. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(5):373-383.