PT Journal AU Niskanen, R Holstila, A Rahkonen, O Lallukka, T TI Changes in working conditions and major weight gain among normal- and overweight midlife employees SO Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health PD 11VL PY 2017 BP 587 EP 594 IS 6 DI 10.5271/sjweh.3678 WP https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=3678 DE epidemiology; job content questionnaire; obesity; overweight; psychosocial working condition; weight; weight gain; working condition SN 0355-3140 AB '

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OBJECTIVES ': 'We aimed to examine the association between changes in psychosocial working conditions and major weight gain among midlife women and men. Furthermore, we examined the associations separately among normal- and overweight participants.

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METHODS ': 'We used survey data among employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, from 2000–2002 (phase 1, N=8960), 2007 (phase 2, N=7332), and 2012 (phase 3, N=6814), with a final study sample of 4369 participants. We examined changes in job strain, job demands, and job control from phase 1 to 2. We defined major weight gain as ≥10% weight gain between phases 1 and 3 based on self-reported weight (kg). We performed logistic regression analysis adjusting for baseline age, marital status, and occupational class, stratifying by gender and by baseline body mass index.

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RESULTS ': 'Job demands among both genders and job strain among women was associated with major weight gain. Furthermore, increased job demands [odds ratio (OR) 1.52, 95% CI 1.05–2.20] or increased job strain (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.11–2.11) was associated with major weight gain among overweight women. Normal-weight men reporting decreased job demands (OR 4.11, 95% CI 1.48–11.40) and overweight men reporting increasing job demands (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.26–6.82) exhibited higher odds of major weight gain.

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CONCLUSIONS ': 'Associations between working conditions and weight gain appeared primarily weak. Our study suggests that overweight individuals might be at a higher risk of weight gain when facing psychosocial strain in the workplace.

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