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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-08-2019 | Obesity | Original Article

Physical workload and obesity have a synergistic effect on work ability among construction workers

Authors: Susanne C. Tonnon, Suzan R. J. Robroek, Allard J. van der Beek, Alex Burdorf, Hidde P. van der Ploeg, Margo Caspers, Karin I. Proper

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 6/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Obesity and high physical workload are both associated with poor work ability, but the interaction between obesity and high physical workload on work ability is not yet fully understood. Obesity and high physical workload may share a common mechanical pathway, possibly leading to a synergistic negative effect on work ability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of obesity on work ability in workers with high versus low physical work load.

Methods

A longitudinal study was conducted among 36,435 Dutch construction workers who participated in at least two periodic medical examinations during the years 2008–2015. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the effect of manual material handling and strenuous work postures in sports on the association between obesity and work ability. Work ability was measured using the self-reported Work Ability Index consisting of seven dimensions. Confounding effects were tested for age, educational level, smoking, vigorous physical activity, psychosocial work demands, and working hours. Additive interaction between obesity and physical workload on work ability was tested using the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI).

Results

Construction workers with overweight (OR = 1.09; 95% CI 1.02–1.16) or obesity (OR = 1.27; 95% CI 1.17–1.38) had an increased risk of poor/moderate work ability. Exposure to manual material handling (OR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.49–1.68) or strenuous work postures (OR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.70–1.90) also increased the risk of poor/moderate work ability. The effect of the combination of obesity with high physical workload was greater than the sum of the individual effects (strenuous work postures: RERI = 0.39; 95% CI 0.10–0.67; manual material handling: RERI = 0.26; 95% CI 0.02–0.51).

Conclusions

Obesity and high physical workload were associated with poor work ability and had a synergistic, negative effect on work ability. Interventions that prevent obesity and high physical workload might have a beneficial effect on work ability.

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Title: Physical workload and obesity have a synergistic effect on work ability among construction workers
Authors: Susanne C. Tonnon
Suzan R. J. Robroek
Allard J. van der Beek
Alex Burdorf
Hidde P. van der Ploeg
Margo Caspers
Karin I. Proper
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Obesity
Obesity
Overweight
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 6/2019
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-019-01422-7

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Physical workload and obesity have a synergistic effect on work ability among construction workers

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

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