Details:

Alternative Title:
J Safety Res
Personal Author:
Gu, Ja K. ; Charles, Luenda E. ; Andrew, Michael E. ; Ma, Claudia C. ; Hartley, Tara A. ; ... More +
Gu, Ja K. ; Charles, Luenda E. ; Andrew, Michael E. ; Ma, Claudia C. ; Hartley, Tara A. ; Violanti, John M. ; Burchfiel, Cecil M. ; Less -
Description:
Introduction Studies have reported associations between obesity and injury in a single occupation or industry. Our study estimated the prevalence of work-site injuries and investigated the association between obesity and work-site injury in a nationally representative sample of U.S. workers. Methods Self-reported weight, height, and injuries within the previous three months were collected annually for U.S. workers in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2004–2012. Participants were categorized as normal weight (BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI: 25.0–29.9), obese I (BMI: 30.0–34.9), and obese II (BMI: 35+). The prevalence of injury and prevalence ratios from fitted logistic regression models was used to assess relationships between obesity and injury after adjusting for covariates. Sampling weights were incorporated using SUDAAN software. Results During the 9-year study period from 2004 to 2012, 1120 workers (78 workers per 10,000) experienced a work-related injury during the previous three months. The anatomical sites with the highest prevalence of injury were the back (14.3/10,000 ± 1.2), fingers (11.5 ± 1.3), and knees (7.1 ± 0.8). The most common types of injuries were sprains/strains/twists (41.5% of all injuries), cuts (20.0%), and fractures (11.8%). Compared to normal weight workers, overweight and obese workers were more likely to experience work-site injuries [overweight: PR = 1.25 (95% CI = 1.04–1.52); obese I: 1.41 (1.14–1.74); obese II: 1.68 (1.32–2.14)]. These injuries were more likely to affect the lower extremities [overweight: PR = 1.48, (95% CI = 1.03–2.13); obese I: 1.70 (1.13–2.55); obese II: 2.91 (1.91–4.41)] and were more likely to be due to sprains/strains/twists [overweight: PR = 1.73 (95% CI=1.29–2.31); obese I: PR = 2.24 (1.64–3.06); obese II: PR = 2.95 (2.04–4.26)]. Conclusions Among NHIS participants, overweight and obese workers were 25% to 68% more likely to experience injuries than normal weight workers. Practical applications Weight reduction policies and management programs may be effectively targeted towards overweight and obese groups to prevent or reduce work-site injuries.
Subject:
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Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Article
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity
Occupational Injuries
Occupations
Prevalence
Young Adult

Source:
J Safety Res. 58:21-30.
Pubmed ID:
27620931
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC5259819
Document Type:
Journal Article ;
Funding:
CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHS/United States ;
Place as Subject:
United States ;
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
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urn:sha256:e9cfd5d648ff17025674a849567a72fd552819ccf0c8a800c893e51aafe74b48
File Type:

Supporting Files

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