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Psychosocial working conditions and weight gain among employees

International Journal of Obesity volume 29, pages 909–915 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the associations between psychosocial working conditions and weight gain.

DESIGN, SUBJECTS AND MEASUREMENTS:

Data from postal questionnaires (response rate 67%) sent to 40- to 60-y-old women (n=7093) and men (n=1799) employed by the City of Helsinki in 2000–2002 were analysed. Weight gain during the previous 12 months was the outcome variable in logistic regression analyses. Independent variables included Karasek's job demands and job control, work fatigue, working overtime, work-related mental strain, social support and the work–home interface. The final models were adjusted for age, education, marital status, physical strain and body mass index.

RESULTS:

In the previous 12 months, 25% of women and 19% of men reported weight gain. Work fatigue and working overtime were associated with weight gain in both sexes. Women who were dissatisfied with combining paid work and family life were more likely to have gained weight. Men with low job demands were less likely to have gained weight. All of these associations were independent of each other.

CONCLUSIONS:

Few work-related factors were associated with weight gain. However, our study suggests that work fatigue and working overtime are potential risk factors for weight gain. These findings need to be confirmed in prospective studies.

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Acknowledgements

The ongoing Helsinki Health Study is funded by grants from the Academy of Finland (#53245, #48118, #105812 and #45664) and the Finnish Work Environment Fund (#99090). Pekka Martikainen was supported by the Academy of Finland (Grants #70631, #48600 and #203418). We thank the City of Helsinki and all members of the Helsinki Health Study group for their contribution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland

    T Lallukka, M Laaksonen, S Sarlio-Lähteenkorva & E Lahelma

  2. Department of Sociology, University of Helsinki, Finland

    P Martikainen

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  1. T Lallukka
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  2. M Laaksonen
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  5. E Lahelma
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Correspondence to T Lallukka.

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Lallukka, T., Laaksonen, M., Martikainen, P. et al. Psychosocial working conditions and weight gain among employees. Int J Obes 29, 909–915 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802962

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