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International Journal of Obesity (2005) 29, 909915
& 2005 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved 0307-0565/05 $30.00www.nature.com/ijoPAPERPsychosocial working conditions and weight gain
among employeesT Lallukka1*, M Laaksonen1, P Martikainen2, S Sarlio-Lahteenkorva1 and E Lahelma11Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland; and 2Department of Sociology, University of Helsinki, FinlandOBJECTIVE: To study the associations between psychosocial working conditions and weight gain.
DESIGN, SUBJECTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Data from postal questionnaires (response rate 67%) sent to 40- to 60-y-old
women (n 7093) and men (n 1799) employed by the City of Helsinki in 20002002 were analysed. Weight gain during the
previous 12 months was the outcome variable in logistic regression analyses. Independent variables included Karaseks job
demands and job control, work fatigue, working overtime, work-related mental strain, social support and the workhome
interface. The final models were adjusted for age, education, marital status, physical strain and body mass index.RESULTS: In the previous 12 months, 25% of women and 19% of men reported weight gain. Work fatigue and working
overtime were associated with weight gain in both sexes. Women who were dissatisfied with combining paid work and family
life were more likely to have gained weight. Men with low job demands were less likely to have gained weight. All of these
associations were independent of each other.CONCLUSIONS: Few work-related factors were associated with weight gain. However, our study suggests that work fatigue and
working overtime are potential risk factors for weight gain. These findings need to be confirmed in prospective studies.International Journal of Obesity (2005) 29, 909915. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802962; published online 19 April 2005Keywords: psychosocial factors; working conditions; weight gain; workhome interfaceIntroductionThe prevalence of obesity has increased steadily over the lastfew decades in Finland and in other Western industrializedcountries.13 At the same time, working environments areconstantly changing, placing more demands on employees.4However, physical strain at work is diminishing, whichincreases the risk of obesity.5Factors behind weight gain are complex and not wellunderstood. Eating habits and exercise are known to beassociated with body weight,6 although separating theeffects of these variables on each other is difficult.7Furthermore, genetic factors, fetal growth and obesity duringchildhood may be underlying causes of overweight.3 Previous studies have also shown that age, education andmarital status are associated with weight gain.2,811Surprisingly few studies have, however, examined theassociations between work-related psychosocial...