Analysis of the association between health-related and work-related factors among workers and metabolic syndrome using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016)

Effects of a Worksite-Based Self-Management Program in Traditional Retail Market Workers: Longitudinal Associations with Metabolic Parameters

(1) Background: This study explored the effects of a worksite-based self-management program on metabolic parameters in traditional retail market workers during a 3-year period. (2) Methods: Seventy traditional retail market workers who completed 3 years of follow-up were included in this study. The worksite-based self-management program was developed to help traditional retail market workers manage metabolic parameters themselves based on the following content: (I) using a metabolic syndrome action checklist, (II) counseling, (III) creating improvement action plans, and (IV) evaluating implemented improvements. (3) Results: The rates of implemented improvements showed success. Fasting blood sugar and triglycerides showed yearly reductions from baseline for 3 years, which eventually led to a decreased metabolic syndrome score and maintenance of metabolic parameters in the normal range for 3 years. (4) Conclusions: A worksite-based self-management program on metabolic parameters in traditional retail market workers was effective. It improved their intention to self-assess and cope their health problems and eventually decreased their metabolic syndrome score. It should be considered for the primary prevention of metabolic syndrome among traditional retail market workers.

Predictors of Health Promotion Behaviors Among Working Adults at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome has a high global prevalence, affecting 26% of South Koreans. Lifestyle modifications have shown benefits in studies involving health behavior enhancement, specifically through workplace eating and exercise interventions. However, workplace interventions focusing on health behaviors have been inadequately explored.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined factors affecting health promotion behaviors of workers at high risk of metabolic syndrome by applying Theory of Planned Behavior constructs (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and intention).

METHODS

This correlational cross-sectional study collected survey data from 164 hotel workers in South Korea. The study applied factor analysis and structural equation modeling for the data analysis.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed five health promotion behaviors: exercise, making healthy food choices, avoiding fatty foods, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, and eating regular moderate meals. Participants were grouped as total participants, those with one risk factor and those with two risk factors. In the total group, four behaviors were influenced by perceived behavioral control: exercise, making healthy food choices, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, and eating regular moderate meals. In the one risk factor group, intention and attitude influenced the eating regular moderate meals behavior, and two other behaviors were influenced by perceived behavioral control: exercise and eating a nutritious and balanced diet; in the two risk factors group, only perceived behavioral control directly affected exercise.

DISCUSSION

Perceived behavioral control was a key predictor of health behaviors, and theory constructs partially explained behaviors. Perceived behavioral control influenced four behaviors and influenced exercise in all three groups. Also, theory constructs showed a greater effect on behaviors in the one risk factor group than in the two risk factor group, indicating that participants with one risk factor more effectively managed their behaviors on their own and with health care providers' support. Occupational health providers should conduct early assessments of workers showing metabolic syndrome risk factors to identify their particular risks, intention, and behaviors. As the number of risk factors affects behaviors and perceived behavioral control primarily influences exercise, these findings should be incorporated in metabolic syndrome interventions.

Association between shift work or long working hours with metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies

This meta-analysis investigates the relationship between both shift work and long working hours and risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS). PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched from the outset to December 10, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. A total of 36 (30 cross-sectional, 5 cohort, and a nested case-control) studies, involving 274,263 participants, were included. The pooled odds ratio of shift work and development of MetS was 1.35 (95% confidence interval: 1.24-1.48), and the pooled odds ratio of long working hours and development of MetS was 1.19 (95% confidence interval: 0.97-1.46). In the subgroup analysis stratified by gender, the pooled odds ratios for male and female shift workers were 1.25 (95% confidence interval: 1.14-1.37) and 1.47 (95% confidence interval: 1.18-1.82), respectively. The dose-response (number of years of shift work and development of MetS) analysis showed the pooled odds ratio for 5 years of shift work was 1.07 (95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.09) and for 10 years of shift work 1.11 (95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.15). Our meta-analysis confirmed shift work is significantly associated with risk of metabolic syndrome, but the relationship between long working hours and MetS was not substantiated. Additionally, there was a nonlinear dose-response relationship between the number of years of shift work and risk of MetS, showing positive relationship to about 20 years of shift work but not for longer than 20 years. Prospective cohort studies regarding specific shift work schedules are needed to confirm these results.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between shift work and metabolic syndrome: The roles of sleep, gender, and type of shift work

This study was conducted to investigate the association between shift work and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and quantify the roles of sleep, gender, and type of shift work. We searched online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science on November 17, 2019. Of the 821 articles identified, 38 observational studies (27 cross-sectional, 10 cohorts, and one nested case-control), conducted on 128,416 participants, met our eligibility criteria. The pooled Odds ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence interval (CI) of MetS in shift-versus day-workers were estimated as 1.14 (1.07, 1.21) and 1.11 (1.06, 1.17) for the unadjusted and adjusted models. This association remained significant only for the studies with a cross-sectional design. There was a significantly higher odds of MetS in the studies conducted only on females (1.13 [1.06, 1.20]) or males (1.12 [1.02, 1.21]). The pooled adjusted OR (95% CI) for the studies without and with sleep adjustment was calculated as 1.14 (1.08, 1.21) and 1.29 (1.06, 1.52). We observed that rotating shift workers had stronger odds of MetS than the other shift workers. In conclusion, our findings revealed the significant odds of an association between shift work and MetS and different effects for sleep, gender, and type of shift work.

Sleep quality does not mediate the negative effects of chronodisruption on body composition and metabolic syndrome in healthcare workers in Ecuador

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The objective of the present work was to determine to what extent sleep quality may mediate the association between chronodisruption (CD) and metabolic syndrome (MS), and between CD and body composition (BC).

METHODOLOGY

Cross-sectional study which included 300 adult health workers, 150 of whom were night shift workers and thereby exposed to CD. Diagnosis of MS was made based on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Body mass index (BMI), fat mass percentage, and visceral fat percentage were measured as indicators of body composition (BC). Data were analyzed using logistic, linear regression and structural equation models.

RESULTS

The odds of health workers exposed to CD to suffer MS was 22.13 (IC₉₅ 8.68-66.07) when the model was adjusted for age, gender, physical activity and energy consumption. CD was also significantly associated with an increase in fat mass and visceral fat percentages, but not to BMI. Surprisingly, there was not enough evidence supporting the hypothesis that sleep quality contributes to the association between CD and MS or between CD and BC.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep quality does not mediate the negative effects of CD on MS nor on BC.

Occupational Assessments of Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases in Labors: An Application of Metabolic Syndrome Scoring Index

Unlike a traditional diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MS), a numerical MS index can present individual fluctuations of health status over time. This study aimed to explore its value in the application of occupational health. Using a database of physiological and biochemical tests and questionnaires, data were collected from 7232 participants aged 20 to 64 years who received occupational health screenings at a health screening institution in 2018. Using confirmatory factor analysis, five components of MS were used to design an MS severity scoring index, which was then used to evaluate the risks of occupation factors. Waist circumference was the largest loading factor compared with the other MS components. Participants who worked in the traditional industrial, food processing, or electronic technology industries had higher MS severity than those in the logistics industry. Those who worked as a manager or over five years had a relatively high severity. The research showed that assessments based on an MS severity score are applicable when the risk factors of suboptimal health are involved. By monitoring the scores over time, healthcare professionals can propose preventive strategies in time, thus enhancing the effectiveness of occupational health examination services.

Sex-Specific Energy Intakes and Physical Activity Levels According to the Presence of Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Elderly People: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2018

This study aimed to analyze the differences in energy intake and physical activity (PA) levels according to sex and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among elderly people in Korea. Data of 3720 elderly people (aged >65 years) were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2018). We analyzed PA levels (occupational and recreational PA) and energy intakes (carbohydrate, protein, and fat). The MetS group showed lower levels of moderate intensity recreational PA and place movement than the non-MetS group (p < 0.05); in the MetS group, PA levels were significantly lower in women than in men (p < 0.05). The intakes of total energy, carbohydrate, fat, and protein were lower in the MetS group than in the non-MetS group (p < 0.001). Both the non-MetS and MetS groups showed lower energy intakes in women than men (p < 0.001). Our study shows that elderly people, especially women, with MetS have significantly lower total PA levels and total energy intakes. We confirmed the importance of increased PA and proper nutritional intake in elderly people. Therefore, it is believed that practical measures such as nutrition education and nutrition guidance and PA education are urgently needed to reduce the incidence of MetS among the elderly.