The association between long work hours and leisure-time physical activity and obesity

Abstract

Obesity affects approximately one-third of all U.S. adults, presenting a large economic and public health burden. Long work hours may be contributing to the rising obesity problem by reducing time for physical activity, particularly for individuals working in sedentary occupations. This study sought to investigate the association between long work hours, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and obesity across levels of occupational activity in order to identify potentially vulnerable groups. Cross sectional analysis was performed in 2017 using data from the 2015 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and prevalence ratios were estimated across work hour and occupational activity groups. Ability to meet guidelines for LTPA did not differ significantly across work hour categories overall. Those working in low activity occupations were more likely to meet aerobic guidelines for LTPA compared to those in intermediate and high activity occupations (χ2: 19.3; P-value: <0.01). Results of interaction assessment demonstrate that the effects of work hours on obesity risk and meeting aerobic guidelines are significantly different across OA categories, indicating OA to be an effect modifier of the relationship between long work hours and obesity (χ2: 13.33; P-value: <0.001; χ2: 4.42; P-value: <0.05). Employees in intermediate activity occupations working long hours were found to be at the greatest risk for obesity. Further research is required to better understand the mechanisms impacting the relationship between long work hours, domains of physical activity, and obesity risk as well as to identify effective intervention and prevention programs for employees in intermediate activity occupations.

Working Experience and Perceived Physical Activity and Exercise Barriers

“…The author prophesied that long years of experience might play a significant role in better managing time and energy during working hour; thus, more time could be dedicated to physical activity and exercise. While this study did not find significant differences between working experience groups workers with lower experience years (less than 5 years) tend to be more affected by physical activity barriers than the group with more extended experience (more than 10 years).The current results are in agreement with evidence that suggested that the effect of long work hours on physical activity levels and meeting the recommendations among employees working status (including occupations type, and years of experience) consider as an effect modifier in the relationship, affecting differently across occupations (Cook & Gazmararian, 2018). Research studies have related the impact of working hours on employees physical activity levels to the professional level occupation, whereas, those with higher occupational level were more likely to be more active and meet the leisure-time physical activity recommendations (Kirk & Rhodes, 2011).…”

“…The current study has indicated that the willing power barrier was the third most significant barrier of physical activity and exercise among participants. Despite women's awareness of the benefits and need of meeting the recommendation of daily physical activity, participants of previous research studies have reported that they know how to enhance their daily physical activity but wouldn't because they feel "Lazy" (Cook & Gazmararian, 2018). Women's willpower as perceived barrier could also be related to the fact that it has been reported as not a priority when planning leisure time schedules (Segar, Taber, Patrick, Thai, & Oh, 2017).…”

“…Long working hours, household and social responsibility of working women's, could be driving the perceived barrier of lack of energy that has been addressed by participants of the current study. As described by researchers and working women's the "role overload" experienced by many working mothers is in fact declining their life quality, increasing levels of stress, depression, and anxiety (Guendouzi, 2006;El Ansari & Lovell, 2009;Cook & Gazmararian, 2018).…”

“…Working Experience and Perceived Physical Activity and Exercise Barriers ced workers and were closely correlated to primary and secondary risks of developing chronic diseases (Tomei, Cangemi, Giubilati, & Fioravanti, 2007). In the other hand gender plays a significant role when it comes to workers activity rates, researchers have addressed that women, in general, are less active than men (Cook & Gazmararian, 2018) and female workers typically have higher inactivity levels than their male counterparts (Cook & Gazmararian, 2018;El Ansari & Lovell, 2009). A recent study by Klingberg et al (2018), have investigated the impact of work demands and stress on workers overall life equality through the use of questionnaires and included 3,872 working men and women.…”

“…Incidents of ill health, including chronic health disease, have significantly increased in working populations, and research studies have related it to high job demands and long working hours (Cook & Gazmararian, 2018). The increased working hours and related stress contribute to the obesogenicity increased rates among workers.…”