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:
[+]
urn:sha256:e9cfd5d648ff17025674a849567a72fd552819ccf0c8a800c893e51aafe74b48
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/43939/cdc_43939_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• nihms842892.nxml

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