Occupational Stress and Altered Serum Leptin Among Female Workers in Southern Brazil

Leptin is a peptide hormone produced by white adipose tissue and is essential for the regulation of appetite and energy homeostasis. Evidence suggests that leptin concentrations may vary according to emotional and psychosocial conditions, such as occupational stress, particularly in vulnerable populations, including female workers. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the association between occupational stress and altered serum leptin levels among female workers.

A cross-sectional design was applied to a sample of 302 female workers employed in plastic manufacturing plants in southern Brazil. Serum leptin concentrations were quantified, and values exceeding 15.2 ng/mL were considered elevated. Occupational stress was measured using the short version of the Job Stress Scale. Associations between occupational stress and elevated leptin levels were estimated using Poisson regression models with robust variance adjustment.

The mean age of the participants was 35.4 years (SD [standard deviation] = 10.1). Elevated serum leptin levels were observed in 78.1% of the sample (95% CI: 73.5-82.8), whereas 21.9% (95% CI: 17.2-26.5) were classified as experiencing occupational stress. After controlling for relevant confounding variables, including obesity, women experiencing occupational stress showed a 15% higher probability of elevated leptin levels compared with those without occupational stress (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.02-1.30; p = 0.022).

Occupational stress was independently linked to increased serum leptin concentrations among female workers, suggesting that psychosocial stressors in the workplace may play a role in the disruption of leptin regulation in this population.