Unique associations of the Job Demand-Control-Support model subscales with leisure-time physical activity and dietary energy intake

Abstract

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and dietary energy intake are two important health behaviours, which at too low or high levels respectively, are associated with overweight and obesity. This study explores associations between subscales of the Job Demand-Control-Support (JDCS) model, LTPA and dietary energy intake. A cross-sectional design sampled current employees (N=433) from a South Australian cohort using a computer-assisted telephone interview and a self-completed food frequency questionnaire. In analyses adjusted for sex, age, and sociodemographic variables, higher levels of skill discretion were associated with increased odds for attaining sufficient physical activity (OR=2.45; 95% CI=1.10-5.47). Higher levels of decision authority were associated with reduced odds (OR=0.43; 95% CI=0.20-0.93) for being in the highest tertile of daily energy intake. Higher scores for coworker support were associated with increased odds (OR=2.20; 95% CI=1.15-4.23) for being in the highest tertile of daily energy intake. These findings support the consideration of the individual JDCS subscales, since this practice may reveal novel associations with health behaviour outcomes, thereby presenting new opportunities to improve employee health and wellbeing.

Association between occupational stress, social support at work, and physical activity in outsourced workers

“… 11 Moreover, women are more prone to facing stressor events at work when compared to men. 12 Current findings show that occupational stress is directly related to mental and physical health and that individuals with high levels of occupational stress present low levels of physical activity. 13 The most recent World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines advocate that adult individuals (aged between 18 and 64 years), including those with some kind of chronic disease or disability, should do 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, with possible combinations of these intensities throughout the week.…”

“…Evidências apontam que os homens costumam estar mais engajados em atividades físicas de lazer quando comparados às mulheres 11 . Além disso, outros estudos mostram que as mulheres são mais passíveis a eventos estressores no trabalho quando comparadas aos homens 12 . Achados mostram que o estresse ocupacional está diretamente relacionado à saúde mental e física e que indivíduos que possuem níveis altos de estresse ocupacional apresentam níveis baixos de atividade física 13 .…”

“…Embora as investigações acerca do estresse ocupacional, do apoio social no trabalho e da prática da atividade física sejam observadas na literatura 12,15 , estudos que enfatizem a frequência da atividade física ainda são escassos, tendo em vista que a maioria deles estão focados em analisar o nível de atividade física. Desta forma, torna-se importante investigar a frequência semanal na população trabalhadora, visto que a ausência de tempo é apontada como uma das principais barreiras para a prática de atividade física.…”

“…Although investigations on occupational stress, social support at work, and physical activity are evident in the literature, 12 , 15 studies that emphasize the frequency of physical activity are still scarce, considering that most of them focus on analyzing the level of physical activity. Therefore, it is important to investigate the weekly frequency of physical activity among the working population, since lack of free time is mentioned as one of the main barriers to physical activity.…”