Work, obesity, and occupational safety and health.
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.
Schulte
Paul A
PA
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. pas4@cdc.gov
Wagner
Gregory R
GR
Ostry
Aleck
A
Blanciforti
Laura A
LA
Cutlip
Robert G
RG
Krajnak
Kristine M
KM
Luster
Michael
M
Munson
Albert E
AE
O'Callaghan
James P
JP
Parks
Christine G
CG
Simeonova
Petia P
PP
Miller
Diane B
DB
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D011287:Prejudice; D018907:Privacy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D014937:Work / Q000941:ethics / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D014942:Workers' Compensation