Gender disparity in the associations of overweight/obesity with occupational activity, transport to/from work, leisure-time physical activity, and leisure-time spent sitting in working adults: A cross-sectional study

J Epidemiol. 2017 Sep;27(9):401-407. doi: 10.1016/j.je.2016.08.019. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

Abstract

Background: The associations of occupational activity (OA), commuting, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and sitting with overweight/obesity in working adults are controversial. This study explored these factors with the risk of overall and abdominal overweight/obesity in a Chinese working population and whether these associations differ by gender.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data analysis was done among 6739 employed participants. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the studied associations.

Results: For male employees, those with heavy OA had a lower overall (OR 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.93) and abdominal (OR 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.93) overweight/obesity risk than those with light OA. Those with LTPA ≥150 min/week had a lower risk of overall (OR 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56-0.96) and abdominal (OR 0.70; 95% CI, 0.53-0.91) overweight/obesity than those with LTPA <150 min/week. Men with leisure-sitting time <2.5 h/day had a significantly lower risk of abdominal overweight/obesity than those sitting ≥4 h/day (OR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.65-0.99). And men who cycled to/from work had a lower risk of overall (OR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53-0.90) and abdominal overweight/obesity (OR 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54-0.92) than passive transports. However, the above significant associations disappeared among female employees.

Conclusions: Heavy OA, cycling to/from work, and LTPA were associated with lower risk of overall or abdominal overweight/obesity in male employees. Reducing leisure sitting time can also help male employees reduce the risk of abdominal overweight/obesity. More research on gender disparity in the risk of overweight and obesity should be done.

Keywords: Leisure-time physical activity; Leisure-time spent sitting; Occupational activity; Overweight/obesity; Transport to/from work.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Employment*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Leisure Activities*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Overweight / epidemiology*
  • Posture*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sedentary Behavior
  • Sex Distribution
  • Time Factors
  • Transportation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult