title: Sense of coherence is significantly associated with both metabolic syndrome and lifestyle in Japanese computer software office workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sense of coherence (SOC) is an individual characteristic related to a positive life orientation, leading to effective coping. Little is known about the relationship between SOC and metabolic syndrome (MetS). This cross-sectional study aimed at testing the hypothesis that workers with a strong SOC have fewer atherosclerotic risk factors, including MetS, and healthier lifestyle behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and sixty-seven computer software workers aged 20-64 years underwent a periodical health examination including assessment of body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipid levels, fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels and lifestyle behaviors (walking duration, smoking status, nutrition, alcohol consumption, and sleep duration). During this period, the participants also completed a 29-item questionnaire of SOC and the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire to assess job stressors such as job strain and workplace social support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results showed that the participants with a stronger SOC were likely to walk for at least 1 h a day, to eat slowly or at a moderate speed, and to sleep for at least 6 h. Compared with the participants with the weakest SOC, those with the strongest SOC had a significantly lower odds ratio (OR) for being overweight (OR = 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.11-0.81), and having higher FBS levels (OR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.02-0.54), dyslipidemia (OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.09-0.84), and MetS (OR = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02-0.63), even after adjusting for age, gender and job stressors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High SOC is associated with a healthy lifestyle and fewer atherosclerotic risk factors, including MetS.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, Department of Health Development, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka, Japan, morita@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yusaku
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.forename: Yoshimasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Konno
authors.forename: Yasumasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Eguchi
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007564:Japan; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D016272:Occupational Health; D060685:Sense of Coherence; D012984:Software; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis; D055815:Young Adult