Lifestyle and work ability in a general working population in Norway: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between multiple lifestyle-related risk factors (unhealthy diet, low leisure-time physical activity, overweight/obesity and smoking) and self-rated work ability in a general working population.SettingPopulation-based cross-sectional study, in Telemark County, Norway, 2013.ParticipantsA random sample of 50 000 subjects was invited to answer a self-administered questionnaire and 16 099 responded. Complete data on lifestyle and work ability were obtained for 10 355 participants aged 18–50 years all engaged in paid work during the preceding 12 months.Outcome measureWork ability was assessed using the Work Ability Score (WAS)—the first question in the Work Ability Index. To study the association between multiple lifestyle risk factors and work ability, a lifestyle risk index was constructed and relationships examined using multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsLow work ability was more likely among subjects with an unhealthy diet (ORadj1.3, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.5), inactive persons (ORadj1.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.6), obese respondents (ORadj1.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.7) and former and current smokers (ORadj1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4 and 1.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.5, respectively). An additive relationship was observed between the lifestyle risk index and the likelihood of decreased work ability (moderate-risk score: ORadj1.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.6; high-risk score: ORadj1.9; 95% CI 1.6 to 2.2; very high risk score: ORadj2.4; 95% CI 1.9 to 3.0). The overall population attributable fraction (PAF) of low work ability based on the overall risk index was 38%, while the PAFs of physical activity, smoking, body mass index and diet were 16%, 11%, 11% and 6%, respectively.ConclusionsLifestyle risk factors were associated with low work ability. An additive relationship was observed. The findings are considered relevant to occupational intervention programmes aimed at prevention and improvement of decreased work ability.

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Patterns of multiple lifestyle risk factors and their link to mental health in the German adult population: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022184 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. e022184 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Josefine Atzendorf ◽

Christian Apfelbacher ◽

Elena Gomes de Matos ◽

Ludwig Kraus ◽

Daniela Piontek

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Adult Population ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lifestyle Risk Factors ◽

Unhealthy Diet ◽

Lifestyle Risk ◽

German Adult

ObjectivesLifestyle risk factors, such as drinking or unhealthy diet, can expotentiate detrimental health effects. Therefore, it is important to investigate multiple lifestyle risk factors instead of single ones. The study aims at: (1) identifying patterns of lifestyle risk factors within the adult general population in Germany and (2) examining associations between the extracted patterns and external factors.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingGeneral German adult population (aged 18–64 years).ParticipantsParticipants of the 2015 Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse (n=9204).Primary outcome measuresLifestyle risk factors (daily smoking, at-risk alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, low physical activity, weekly use of pharmaceuticals, as well as consumption of cannabis and other illicit drugs).ResultsA latent class analysis was applied to identify patterns of lifestyle risk factors, and a multinomial logistic regression was carried out to examine associations between the extracted classes and external factors. A total of four classes were extracted which can be described as healthy lifestyle (58.5%), drinking lifestyle (24.4%), smoking lifestyle (15.4%) and a cumulate risk factors lifestyle (1.7%). Individuals who were male, at younger age and single as well as individuals with various mental health problems were more likely to show multiple lifestyle risk factors.ConclusionsHealthcare professionals should be aware of correlations between different lifestyle risk factors as well as between lifestyle risk groups and mental health. Health promotion strategies should further focus especially on younger and single men.

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Influence of lifestyle risk factors on work ability and sick leave in a general working population in Norway: a 5-year longitudinal study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045678 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e045678

Author(s):

Marit Müller De Bortoli ◽

Inger M. Oellingrath ◽

Anne Kristin Moeller Fell ◽

Alex Burdorf ◽

Suzan J. W. Robroek

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Sick Leave ◽

Work Ability ◽

Working Population ◽

Short Term ◽

Lifestyle Risk Factors ◽

Lifestyle Risk

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to assess (1) whether lifestyle risk factors are related to work ability and sick leave in a general working population over time, and (2) these associations within specific disease groups (ie, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and mental illness).SettingTelemark county, in the south-eastern part of Norway.DesignLongitudinal study with 5 years follow-up.ParticipantsThe Telemark study is a longitudinal study of the general working population in Telemark county, Norway, aged 16 to 50 years at baseline in 2013 (n=7952) and after 5-year follow-up.Outcome measureSelf-reported information on work ability (moderate and poor) and sick leave (short-term and long-term) was assessed at baseline, and during a 5-year follow-up.ResultsObesity (OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.32 to 2.05) and smoking (OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.35 to 1.96) were associated with long-term sick leave and, less strongly, with short-term sick leave. An unhealthy diet (OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.43), and smoking (OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.24 to 2.25) were associated with poor work ability and, to a smaller extent, with moderate work ability. A higher lifestyle risk score was associated with both sick leave and reduced work ability. Only few associations were found between unhealthy lifestyle factors and sick leave or reduced work ability within disease groups.ConclusionLifestyle risk factors were associated with sick leave and reduced work ability. To evaluate these associations further, studies assessing the effect of lifestyle interventions on sick leave and work ability are needed.

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