Job strain and binge eating among Brazilian workers participating in the ELSA-Brasil study: does BMI matter?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between job strain and binge eating as well as the effect-modifying influence of body mass index (BMI) on this association.


METHODS
A total of 11,951 active civil servants from the multicenter Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) was included in this cross-sectional analysis. Job strain was assessed using the Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire. Binge eating was defined as eating a large amount of food with a sense of lack of control over what and how much is eaten in less than 2 hours at least twice a week. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between binge eating and job strain as well as its interaction with BMI.


RESULTS
After adjustment, and using low-strain job as the reference category, binge eating was associated with high-strain job (high demand/low control: odds ratio [OR]=1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-1.98), active job (high demand/high control: OR=1.35, 95% CI 1.07-1.70), and passive job (low demand/low control: OR=1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.53). Psychological job demands were positively associated with binge eating (OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07), while greater job control and social support at work were each inversely associated with binge eating (OR=0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.97 and OR=0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98, respectively). BMI modified the association between job strain and binge eating: Heavier psychological job demands were associated with higher odds of binge eating among obese participants, while a stronger inverse association between job control and binge eating was seen among slimmer participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Job strain increases the odds of binge eating and this association is modified by BMI.
Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.
Ana Paula Bruno
APB
Pena Gralle
Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.|Department of Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Health, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.
Arlinda
A
Barbosa Moreno
Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.
Leidjaira
L
Lopes Juvanhol
Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.|Department of Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Health, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.
Maria de Jesus
MJ
Mendes da Fonseca
Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.|Department of Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Health, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.
Enirtes Caetano
EC
Prates Melo
Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.
Maria Angélica
MA
Antunes Nunes
Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet.
Susanna
S
Toivanen
Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.|Laboratory of Health and Environment Education, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.
Rosane Härter
RH
Griep
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002032:Bulimia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015987:Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace
Feeding and eating disorders; Obesity; Psychological stress; Work