Status of Workers’ Health Behavior and the Association between Occupational Characteristics and Health Behavior

Abstract

This study investigated differences in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (ULBs) between workers and nonworkers and demonstrated the association of ULBs with occupational characteristics among workers. This cross-sectional study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2019. For sociodemographic data, chi-squared tests were used to analyze categorical variables. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for ULBs were estimated using Poisson regression models after adjusting for age, sex, educational level, and household income. The variables used were current smoking status, heavy drinking, and physical inactivity. Workers were associated with an increased risk of current smoking (adjusted OR (aOR) = 1.48, 95%CI = 1.41–1.56), heavy drinking (aOR = 1.79, 95%CI = 1.68–1.90), and physical inactivity (aOR = 1.07, 95%CI = 1.04–1.11) compared with nonworkers. Among workers, the differential risks of ULB according to occupational characteristics were as follows: skilled manual workers, self-employed workers, and workers working >40 h/week were at a higher risk of engaging in all ULBs than those in other occupational categories, paid workers, and workers working ≤40 h/week, respectively. Workers showed a higher risk of ULBs than nonworkers. The risk of ULBs differed according to occupational characteristics, highlighting the need for additional studies and detailed occupational health management.