Objectives: To determine whether occupation type, distinguished by socioeconomic status (SES) and sedentary status, is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk.
Methods: We analysed two data sets covering 73 506 individuals. MetS was identified according to the criteria of the modified Adult Treatment Panel III. Eight occupational categories were considered: professionals, technical workers, managers, salespeople, service staff, administrative staff, manual labourers and taxi drivers; occupations were grouped into non-sedentary; sedentary, high-SES; and sedentary, non-high-SES occupations. A multiple logistic regression was used to determine significant risk factors for MetS in three age-stratified subgroups. R software for Windows (V.3.5.1) was used for all statistical analyses.
Results: MetS prevalence increased with age. Among participants aged ≤40 years, where MetS prevalence was low at 6.23%, having a non-sedentary occupation reduced MetS risk (OR=0.88, p<0.0295). Among participants aged >60 years, having a sedentary, high-SES occupation significantly increased (OR=1.39, p<0.0247) MetS risk.
Conclusions: The influence of occupation type on MetS risk differs among age groups. Non-sedentary occupations and sedentary, high-SES occupations decrease and increase MetS risk, respectively, among younger and older adults, respectively. Authorities should focus on individuals in sedentary, high-SES occupations.
Keywords: e.g. iron; health informatics; health policy; other metabolic; porphyria; public health; risk management.
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