Prevalence of overweight and obesity in spanish working population along the Covid-19 pandemic. Adiposity indicators and related variables

Introduction: Obesity is a multifactorial and complex disease, being the Body Mass Index (BMI) the standardized method used to define and evaluate overweight or obesity in epidemiological studies, however and compared to adiposity indicators, this method presents low sensitivity and shows a high inter-individual variability. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 815 workers, aged between 18 and 66 years with data collected along regular health surveillance examinations of participating companies from March 2020 to June 2021. The following variables were collected: socio-demographic: age, sex, cultural level and social class; occupational variables: type of work and role; anthropometric variables: weight, height and BMI; and adiposity indicators: visceral fat, body fat, waist circumference and waist/height, and waist/hip indices, establishing interrelationships between them. Results: Significant differences were found between obesity prevalence and gender, being higher in men and increasing with age. As well, the prevalence was higher in workers with elementary education as the highest degree obtained. In women, it was observed an inverse correlation between social class level and obesity prevalence. In men with non-manual jobs (white collar) and women with manual jobs (blue collar), the prevalence established was higher. It is worth highlighting the association between BMI, body fat and waist/height index. Conclusions: The average BMI results of the workers were found to be overweight, showing higher values in men (27.49) than in women (26.33) and a relation to age and occupations. The BMI shows concordance with all the indicators of adiposity, with body and visceral fat and the waist/height index standing out.Introducción: La obesidad es una enfermedad multifactorial y compleja, siendo el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) el método estandarizado utilizado para definir y evaluar el sobrepeso u obesidad en los estudios epidemiológicos, sin embargo y en comparación con los indicadores de adiposidad, este método presenta una baja sensibilidad y muestra una alta variabilidad interindividual. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en 815 trabajadores, con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y los 66 años con datos recogidos a lo largo de los exámenes periódicos de vigilancia de la salud de las empresas participantes desde marzo de 2020 hasta junio de 2021. Se recogieron las siguientes variables: sociodemográficas: edad, sexo, nivel cultural y clase social; ocupacionales: tipo de trabajo y rol; antropométricas: peso, talla e IMC; e indicadores de adiposidad: grasa visceral, grasa corporal, perímetro de cintura y cintura/altura, e índices de cintura/cadera, estableciendo interrelaciones entre ellos. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre la prevalencia de obesidad y el género, siendo mayor en los hombres y aumentando con la edad. Asimismo, la prevalencia fue mayor en los trabajadores con estudios primarios como máxima titulación obtenida. En las mujeres se observó una correlación inversa entre el nivel de clase social y la prevalencia de obesidad. En los hombres con trabajos no manuales (cuello blanco) y en las mujeres con trabajos manuales (cuello azul), la prevalencia establecida fue mayor. Cabe destacar la asociación entre el IMC, la grasa corporal y el índice cintura/altura. Conclusiones: Los resultados del IMC promedio de los trabajadores se encontraron con sobrepeso, mostrando valores más altos en los hombres (27,49) que en las mujeres (26,33) y una relación con la edad y las ocupaciones. El IMC muestra concordancia con todos los indicadores de adiposidad, destacando la grasa corporal y visceral y el índice cintura/altura. Palabras clave: Obesidad, Adiposidad visceral, Antropometría, Índice de masa corporal

Alcohol consumption in Spanish mental health patients vs. working population

Introduction: Alcohol consumption has a high prevalence in society and its chronic consumption is one of the main factors related to health condition in an individual, along with other aspects concerning lifestyle. Regarding the health-disease correlation, it is one of the main determinants of health, from an epidemiological point of view, and has been a traditional object of study from different perspectives and in diverse population groups.Objective: To compare consumption patterns and related variables in two different groups: patients in mental health units and workers in general.Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study in a population of 1 180 service workers and 304 patients in a mental health unit. Sociodemographic and work aspects, as well as pattern of alcohol consumption were analyzed for both populations.Results: Differences in both groups were observed regarding the number of consumers, quantity of consumption and type of beverages consumed, differences that disappear, in part, when comparing groups of workers of both population samples.Conclusions: Differences in the consumption pattern of both populations lead to different preventive-assistance strategies and to the need for implementing coordinated actions by specific programs among those affected.Introducción. El consumo de alcohol tiene una elevada prevalencia en la sociedad y su consumo crónico es uno de los principales factores relacionados con el estado de salud de los individuos, junto a otros aspectos concernientes al estilo de vida. Debido a su importancia, este tema ha sido objeto tradicional de estudio desde diferentes perspectivas epidemiológicas y en diversos colectivos poblacionales.Objetivo. Realizar una comparativa de patrones de consumo y variables relacionadas en dos colectivos diferenciados: pacientes de unidades de salud mental y trabajadores en general.Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal realizado en una población de 1 180 trabajadores del sector servicios de la administración pública y 304 pacientes de una unidad de salud mental. Se analizaron variables sociodemográficas y laborales y el patrón de consumo de alcohol.Resultados. Existen diferencias en ambos colectivos en cuanto al número de consumidores, cantidad de consumo y tipo de bebidas consumidas, diferencias que desaparecen en parte cuando se comparan colectivos de trabajadores de ambas muestras poblacionales.Conclusiones. Las diferencias en el patrón de consumo de ambas poblaciones orientan hacia actuaciones preventivo-asistenciales distintas en ambos grupos y hacia una necesidad de implementar actuaciones coordinadas entre todos los afectados mediante programas específicos

Body Adiposity Index Utilization in a Spanish Mediterranean Population: Comparison with the Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND: Body fat content and fat distribution or adiposity are indicators of health risk. Several techniques have been developed and used for assessing and/or determining body fat or adiposity. Recently, the Body Adiposity Index (BAI), which is based on the measurements of hip circumference and height, has been suggested as a new index of adiposity. The aim of the study was to compare BAI and BMI measurements in a Caucasian population from a European Mediterranean area and to assess the usefulness of the BAI in men and women separately. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a Caucasian population. All participants in the study (1,726 women and 1,474 men, mean age 39.2 years, SD 10.8) were from Mallorca (Spain). Anthropometric data, including percentage of body fat mass obtained by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, were determined. Body Mass Index (BMI) and BAI were calculated. BAI and BMI showed a good correlation (r = 0.64, p<0.001). A strong correlation was also found between BAI and the % fat determined using BIA (r = 0.74, p<0.001), which is even stronger than the one between BMI and % fat (r = 0.54, p<0.001). However, the ROC curve analysis showed a higher accuracy for BMI than for the BAI regarding the discriminatory capacity. CONCLUSION: The BAI could be a good tool to measure adiposity due, at least in part, to the advantages over other more complex mechanical or electrical systems. Probably, the most important advantage of BAI over BMI is that weight is not needed. However, in general it seems that the BAI does not overcome the limitations of BMI

The art in medicine. Jobs with electrical risk and pandemic

This article presents a reflection about the risk by exposure to electricity for workers who work at height. This collective of workers –who are considered essential and whose activity requires a specific set of physical skills and adequacies– are now exposed to the added risks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The consequences of work related accidents or injuries also implicate their families, and this is reflected in Francisca Lita’s painting, which opens a door towards present and future hope, showing her belief that the COVID-19 virus will eventually be controlled.Este artículo reflexiona sobre el riesgo por exposición a la corriente eléctrica de trabajadores en alturas al que se añade el miedo por la pandemia en este grupo de trabajadores considerados esenciales y cuya actividad requiere de su presencia física. Las consecuencias por accidentes o lesiones derivadas de su actividad implican también a sus familias y se refleja en la pintura de Francisca Lita, quien deja abierta la puerta a la esperanza en un control de la enfermedad por COVID-19 y refleja una esperanza presente y futura

Health promotion at work. A step forward in occupational risk prevention. Review

Health promotion is defined by the World Health Organization as the process of enabling people to increase control over their health. It is implemented using participatory approaches to create conditions that ensure health and well-being for all. It involves going a step further in risk prevention and requires a solid preventive structure in companies. The implementation of health promotion programs has been different in each country depending on their preventive regulations, available means and involvement of employers and workers Spain, in 2013, launched the Healthy Companies project inspired by the work of the European Network for Health Promotion at Work. Currently a new organizational model is proposed including the concepts of risk prevention, health promotion and sustainability, efficiency and corporate responsibility.La promoción de la salud es definida por la Organización Mundial de la Salud como el proceso que permite a las personas incrementar el control sobre su salud. Se lleva a la práctica usando enfoques participativos para crear condiciones que garanticen la salud y el bienestar para todos. Implica dar un paso más en prevención de riesgos y requiere de una sólida estructura preventiva en las empresas. La implementación de los programas de promoción de la salud ha sido distinta en cada país en función de su normativa preventiva, medios disponibles e implicación de empresarios y trabajadores. España, en 2013, puso en marcha el proyecto Empresas Saludables inspirado en lo desarrollado por la Red Europea de Promoción de la Salud en el Trabajo. Actualmente, se propone un nuevo modelo organizativo incluyendo los conceptos de prevención de riesgos, promoción de la salud y sostenibilidad, eficiencia y responsabilidad corporativa

Alcohol consumption in Spanish mental health patients vs. working population

Introduction: Alcohol consumption has a high prevalence in society and its chronic consumption is one of the main factors related to health condition in an individual, along with other aspects concerning lifestyle. Regarding the health-disease correlation, it is one of the main determinants of health, from an epidemiological point of view, and has been a traditional object of study from different perspectives and in diverse population groups. Objective: To compare consumption patterns and related variables in two different groups: patients in mental health units and workers in general. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study in a population of 1 180 service workers and 304 patients in a mental health unit. Sociodemographic and work aspects, as well as pattern of alcohol consumption were analyzed for both populations. Results: Differences in both groups were observed regarding the number of consumers, quantity of consumption and type of beverages consumed, differences that disappear, in part, when comparing groups of workers of both population samples. Conclusions: Differences in the consumption pattern of both populations lead to different preventive-assistance strategies and to the need for implementing coordinated actions by specific programs among those affected

Consumo de alcohol en España en pacientes de unidades de salud mental versus trabajadores en general

Introduction: Alcohol consumption has a high prevalence in society and its chronic consumption is one of the main factors related to health condition in an individual, along with other aspects concerning lifestyle. Regarding the health-disease correlation, it is one of the main determinants of health, from an epidemiological point of view, and has been a traditional object of study from different perspectives and in diverse population groups.Objective: To compare consumption patterns and related variables in two different groups: patients in mental health units and workers in general.Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study in a population of 1 180 service workers and 304 patients in a mental health unit. Sociodemographic and work aspects, as well as pattern of alcohol consumption were analyzed for both populations.Results: Differences in both groups were observed regarding the number of consumers, quantity of consumption and type of beverages consumed, differences that disappear, in part, when comparing groups of workers of both population samples.Conclusions: Differences in the consumption pattern of both populations lead to different preventive-assistance strategies and to the need for implementing coordinated actions by specific programs among those affected.Introducción. El consumo de alcohol tiene una elevada prevalencia en la sociedad y su consumo crónico es uno de los principales factores relacionados con el estado de salud de los individuos, junto a otros aspectos concernientes al estilo de vida. Debido a su importancia, este tema ha sido objeto tradicional de estudio desde diferentes perspectivas epidemiológicas y en diversos colectivos poblacionales.Objetivo. Realizar una comparativa de patrones de consumo y variables relacionadas en dos colectivos diferenciados: pacientes de unidades de salud mental y trabajadores en general.Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal realizado en una población de 1 180 trabajadores del sector servicios de la administración pública y 304 pacientes de una unidad de salud mental. Se analizaron variables sociodemográficas y laborales y el patrón de consumo de alcohol.Resultados. Existen diferencias en ambos colectivos en cuanto al número de consumidores, cantidad de consumo y tipo de bebidas consumidas, diferencias que desaparecen en parte cuando se comparan colectivos de trabajadores de ambas muestras poblacionales.Conclusiones. Las diferencias en el patrón de consumo de ambas poblaciones orientan hacia actuaciones preventivo-asistenciales distintas en ambos grupos y hacia una necesidad de implementar actuaciones coordinadas entre todos los afectados mediante programas específicos

Lifestyle, overweight and obesity in spanish workers: related variables

Objective: To assess lifestyle habits related to diet and physical activity in workers and their impact on cardiovascular, metabolic and hepatic risk in relation to socio-demographic and occupational variables. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study in active labor forcé between March 2020 and June 2021. Site: occupational health services of the Balearic Islands. Participants: 815 workers, aged 18-66 years, who attended regular health surveillance examinations in their companies. Interventions: Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was estimated using the PREDIMED questionnaire and physical activity with the reduced IPAQ questionnaire. Regicor/Score was used to calculate cardiovascular risk and the online calculator for metabolic syndrome. The risk of hepatic repercussion was assessed with the Fatty Liver Index (FLI). Results: There are greater adherence to MedDiet in women (56.89%) and greater physical activity in men (57.8%). Physical activity was related to improvement in all indicators of obesity and adiposity in men. In women only with body mass index and body fat (p < 0.0001). All sociodemographic variables showed a relationship with physical activity performed (p < 0.0001) but not with adherence to the MedDiet. Conclusion: MedDiet adherence is higher in women and physical activity in men with an impact on BMI, but not on CVR or metabolic syndrome. Body fat is the adiposity parameter most correlated with physical activity in both sexes. Social class I and II and non-manual work were related to higher physical activity.Objetivo: Evaluar los hábitos de vida relacionados con alimentación y actividad física en trabajadores y su impacto en el riesgo cardiovascular, metabólico y hepático relacionándolos con variables sociodemográficas y laborales. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo transversal en trabajadores en activo laboralmente desde marzo 2020-junio de 2021. Emplazamiento: servicios de salud laboral de Islas Baleares. Participantes: 815 trabajadores, entre 18-66 años que acudieron a los exámenes periódicos de vigilancia de la salud de sus empresas. Intervenciones: Se estimó la adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea mediante el cuestionario PREDIMED y la actividad física con el cuestionario reducido IPAQ. Para el cálculo de Riesgo cardiovascular se utilizó Regicor/Score, y para el síndrome metabólico la calculadora on line. El riesgo de repercusión hepática se valoró con el índice de hígado graso (FLI). Resultados: Mayor adherencia a MedDiet en mujeres (56,89%) y mayor actividad física en hombres (57,8%). Se observa mejora con la actividad física en todos los indicadores de obesidad y adiposidad en hombres. En mujeres sólo con el IMC y la grasa corporal (p < 0,0001). Todas las variables sociodemográficas mostraron relación con la actividad física realizada (p < 0,0001), no con la adherencia a MedDiet. Conclusión: La adherencia MedDiet es mayor en mujeres y la actividad física en hombres con impacto en el IMC, pero no en RCV o Síndrome metabólico. La grasa corporal es el parámetro de adiposidad que más se correlaciona con la actividad física en ambos sexos. La clase social I y II y el trabajo no manual se relacionaron con mayor actividad física

Occupational and Leisure Physical Activity on Cardiovascular Risk and Body Composition Among Courier Workers

Objective There is some controversy about the beneficial effects of occupational physical activity (OPA) on cardiovascular risk (CVR). The main aim of this study was to explore the effect of the combination of different frequencies of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and two types of OPA on CVR and body composition, and whether the association between physical activity (PA) and CVR was mediated by visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Methods This cross-sectional study included data from 2516 couriers living in Spain, delivering either by motorbike or foot, and practicing LTPA never, occasionally, or regularly. Couriers were classified into six categories according to LTPA and OPA; body composition was assessed by Bioelectrical Impedance, and CVR by the Framingham equation. General linear models were performed to explore the association between different categories with each outcome (CVR and body composition) and the possible role of VAT as a mediator between PA and CVR. Results Compared with the most sedentary group (motorbike couriers that never practice PA), walking couriers who practice regular PA presented the lowest CVR [beta -1.58 (95% CI -2.31; -0.85)] and the lowest VAT [beta -2.86 (95% CI -3.74; -1.98) followed by the motorbike couriers who practiced regular PA [beta -0.51 (95% CI -1.00; -0.03) for CVR and beta -2.33 (95% CI -2.91; -1.75) for VAT]. The association between PA and CVR was partially mediated by VAT. Conclusion The present results indicated that both OPA and LTPA are protective factors for CVR and play an important role on VAT accumulation