Work, Obesity, and Occupational Safety and Health

TLDR

Obesity is linked to adverse work conditions, with higher risk in high‑demand, low‑control, and long‑hour jobs, and it may increase susceptibility to vibration‑induced injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. The study hypothesizes that obesity is a co‑risk factor for occupational asthma and cardiovascular disease and may alter workers’ responses to stress, chemical exposures, and neurotoxin‑related disease. Five conceptual models were developed to illustrate how work, obesity, and occupational safety interrelate, emphasizing associated ethical, legal, and social issues.

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that obesity and overweight may be related, in part, to adverse work conditions. In particular, the risk of obesity may increase in high-demand, low-control work environments, and for those who work long hours. In addition, obesity may modify the risk for vibration-induced injury and certain occupational musculoskeletal disorders. We hypothesized that obesity may also be a co-risk factor for the development of occupational asthma and cardiovascular disease that and it may modify the worker's response to occupational stress, immune response to chemical exposures, and risk of disease from occupational neurotoxins. We developed 5 conceptual models of the interrelationship of work, obesity, and occupational safety and health and highlighted the ethical, legal, and social issues related to fuller consideration of obesity's role in occupational health and safety.