Physical workload and obesity have a synergistic effect on work ability among construction workers

Purpose Obesity and high physical workload are both associated with poor work ability, but the interaction between obesity and high physical workload on work ability is not yet fully understood. Obesity and high physical workload may share a common mechanical pathway, possibly leading to a synergistic negative efect on work ability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efect of obesity on work ability in workers with high versus low physical work load. Methods A longitudinal study was conducted among 36,435 Dutch construction workers who participated in at least two periodic medical examinations during the years 2008–2015. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the efect of manual material handling and strenuous work postures in sports on the association between obesity and work ability. Work ability was measured using the self-reported Work Ability Index consisting of seven dimensions. Confounding efects were tested for age, educational level, smoking, vigorous physical activity, psychosocial work demands, and working hours. Additive interaction between obesity and physical workload on work ability was tested using the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). Results Construction workers with overweight (OR=1.09; 95% CI 1.02–1.16) or obesity (OR=1.27; 95% CI 1.17–1.38) had an increased risk of poor/moderate work ability. Exposure to manual material handling (OR=1.58; 95% CI 1.49–1.68) or strenuous work postures (OR=1.80; 95% CI 1.70–1.90) also increased the risk of poor/moderate work ability. The efect of the combination of obesity with high physical workload was greater than the sum of the individual efects (strenuous work postures: RERI=0.39; 95% CI 0.10–0.67; manual material handling: RERI=0.26; 95% CI 0.02–0.51). Conclusions Obesity and high physical workload were associated with poor work ability and had a synergistic, negative efect on work ability. Interventions that prevent obesity and high physical workload might have a benefcial efect on work ability

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