Examination of the relationship between the working conditions of young workers and the content of the meals they buy at convenience stores

Sangyo Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2008 May;50(3):92-9. doi: 10.1539/sangyoeisei.e7007. Epub 2008 May 2.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the working conditions of young workers and the meals they buy at convenience stores, and to consider the prevention of obesity. The subjects of this study were 284 workers under 29 yr of age employed at a transportation company in Ishikawa prefecture. Questionnaires were sent to participants, and 193 valid responses were obtained. Working types, night duty and working time were correlated with convenience store patronage, although working situations were not obviously associated with the content of meal selection at convenience stores. The study results revealed a tendency for the proportion of the fat in meals to be greater than 25% for the majority of working situations. It was also shown that foods selected with high frequency contained a high proportion of fat. There results suggest that this situation increases the risk of obesity. In addition, the more days per week convenience stores were patronized, the greater the number of participants felt "The need to improve meals." Therefore, we believe it is essential that young workers consider the prevention of obesity by observing nutritional information when selecting foods. An environment in which such information is easy to obtain at convenience stores should be arranged.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diet*
  • Dietary Fats
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Obesity / prevention & control
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Work*

Substances

  • Dietary Fats