Relationship between Employment Characteristics and Obesity among Employed U.S. Adults

Abstract

Purpose. This study examined associations between employment characteristics and obesity among a sample representing civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. adults. Design. Quantitative, cross-sectional study. Setting. Workplace. Subjects. The 2010 National Health Interview Survey data for 15,121 employed adults (>18 years). Measures. The outcome variable was weight status, and exposure variables were employment characteristics (number of employees, work hours, paid by the hour, paid sick leave, and health insurance offered). Analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for employment characteristics associated with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) after controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, family income, fruit/vegetable intake, physical activity, smoking, and occupations. Results. Nationwide, 28% of employed adults were obese. From multivariate logistic regression, the odds of being obese was significantly greater among adults who worked at a company with 100 to 499 employees (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.02–1.39) vs. with 1 to 24 employees and those who worked >50 hours/week (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.05–1.65) vs. < 30 hours/week. Conclusion. Approximately 3 out of 10 employees were obese and 6 out of 10 were overweight or obese. A better understanding of why these employment characteristics are associated with obesity could help employers better develop and target interventions for obesity prevention and treatment in the worksites.