The Relationship Between Overqualification and Incident Diabetes: A 14-Year Follow-Up Study

Abstract

ObjectiveRecent research identified that workplace factors play a role in the development of diabetes mellitus (DM). This study examines the longitudinal association of work-related overqualification with the incidence of DM over a 14-year follow-up period.MethodsWe used data from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey linked to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan and the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract databases. Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to evaluate the relationship between overqualification and the incidence of DM.ResultsOver the study period, there were 91,835 person-years of follow-up (median follow-up = 13.7 years). The final sample included 7026 respondents (mean [standard deviation] age at baseline = 47.1 [8.2]; 47% female). An elevated risk of DM was associated with substantial overqualification (hazard ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval = 1.01–2.49) after adjustment for sociodemographic, health, and work variables. Additional adjustment for body mass index and health behaviors attenuated this risk (hazard ratio = 1.30, 95% confidence interval = 0.81–2.08). Underqualification was not associated with the incidence of DM in adjusted regression models. We did not observe any statistical difference in the effects of overqualification on DM risk across sex or education groups.ConclusionsThis study adds to the growing body of research literature uncovering the relationships between work exposures and DM risk. The results from the study suggest that higher body mass index and, to a lesser extent, health behaviors may be mediating factors in the association between overqualification and incident DM. Further research on the association of overqualification with DM is warranted.

Highly Educated Immigrant Workers’ Perspectives of Occupational Health and Safety and Work Conditions That Challenge Work Safety

“…The findings support the person–environment fit theory [ 40 ], which posits that incongruence between a worker’s desires, interests, and values and the work that he/she is engaged in can lead to poor mental and physical health. A recent 14-year follow-up study [ 41 ] uncovered an elevated risk of diabetes mellitus in workers who are overqualified for their jobs. Thus, it is important to prepare highly qualified immigrant workers to access appropriate training for the work they have undertaken to minimize the risks to their health.…”