Influence of work hours and commute time on food practices: a longitudinal analysis of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey

Association between long working hours and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a nationwide population-based study in Korea

OBJECTIVES

Long working hour is a known risk factor for metabolic diseases. We explored the association between working hours and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

STUDY DESIGN

Data on working hours among 22,818 workers (11,999 females) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2021) were used for this study.

METHODS

MASLD was defined as a combination of hepatic steatosis combined with one or more of cardiometabolic risk factors (overweight/obesity, prediabetes/diabetes, raised blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). Hepatic steatosis was assessed using the hepatic steatosis index. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of MASLD was 30.4% in men and 18.1% in women. Among male workers, 20.2% worked ≥55 h/week, whereas among female workers, 10.1% worked ≥55 h/week. Compared with working 35-40 h/week, working ≥55 h/week was positively associated with overweight/obesity (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.05-1.40), pre-diabetes mellitus (pre-DM)/DM (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.04-1.38), raised blood pressure (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.02-1.35), and presence of any cardiometabolic risk factors (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.21-2.02). The adjusted OR (95% CI) of the association between working hours and MASLD was 1.27 (1.09-1.47) for ≥55 h/week compared with working 35-40 h/week in male workers. In female workers, long working hours were not clearly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and MASLD.

CONCLUSION

Long working hours are positively associated with MASLD among Korean male workers. Policy interventions are needed to mitigate the adverse metabolic effects of prolonged working hours.

Association between long working hours and diet quality and patterns: A latent profile analysis of a nationally representative sample of Korean workers

BACKGROUND

Long working hours are associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This study investigated the relationship between the working hours and dietary qualities and patterns in Korean workers.

METHODS

Data from 24,523 workers were extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013-2021. The Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), which ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating greater adherence to Korean dietary guidelines and superior dietary quality, was used for dietary assessment. We identified dietary patterns and classified workers using latent profile analysis. Logistic regressions were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Five distinct dietary patterns emerged: healthy diet (24.8%), low-vegetable diet (14.0%), average diet (7.8%), low-fruit diet (31.4%), and poor diet (22.0%). The mean KHEI score was 60.8, with the highest score observed in the healthy diet pattern (71.3) and the lowest, in the poor diet pattern (50.0). Compared with working 35-40 h/week, working ≥55 h/week was negatively associated with KHEI scores (β: -1.08; 95% CI: -1.67, -0.49). Those working ≥55 h/week were less likely to have a healthy diet pattern (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.91) and more likely to have a low-fruit diet (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.55) or poor diet pattern (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.43) compared with those working 35-40 h/week.

CONCLUSION

Long working hours are associated with undesirable dietary quality and patterns. Policy interventions aimed at enhancing dietary quality are needed to alleviate the health burdens associated with long working hours.

The Nutritional Characteristics of Usual Lunches Consumed Among Japanese Workers: Comparison Between Different Lunch-Type Groups

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated whether the nutritional characteristics of lunches consumed by Japanese workers differ by where the meal is usually prepared or eaten.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 620 employees (aged 20 to 75 years) from eight business offices in Tokyo, Japan. Dietary data were collected using the validated Meal-based Diet History Questionnaire. The Healthy Eating Index 2015 and dietary intakes from lunch were compared between workers classified by usual lunch type: homemade (n = 190), staff canteen (n = 77), restaurant (n = 109), and takeaway (n = 244).

RESULTS

Healthy Eating Index 2015 for lunch was highest in the staff canteen group, followed by the homemade group. The staff canteen group had higher intakes of total vegetables, potatoes, fish, and several vitamins from lunch than the restaurant or takeaway groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Homemade and canteen lunches are relatively healthy options for lunch for Japanese workers.

Do 20-minute neighbourhoods moderate associations between work and commute hours with food consumption?

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations between work and commute hours with food consumption and test whether neighbourhood type (20-minute neighbourhood (20MN)/non-20MN) moderate associations.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of the Places and Locations for Activity and Nutrition study (ProjectPLAN). Exposures were work hours (not working (0 h), working up to full-time (1-38 h/week), working overtime (> 38 h/week)), and among those employed, combined weekly work and commute hours (continuous). Outcomes were usual consumption of fruit, vegetables, takeaway food, snacks and soft drinks, and number of discretionary food types (takeaway, snacks and soft drinks) consumed weekly. Generalised linear models were fitted to examine associations between each exposure and outcome. The moderating role of neighbourhood type was examined through interaction terms between each exposure and neighbourhood type (20MN/non-20MN).

SETTING

Melbourne and Adelaide, Australia, 2018-2019.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults ≥ 18 years old (n 769).

RESULTS

Although all confidence intervals contained the null, overall, patterns suggested non-workers and overtime workers have less healthy food behaviours than up-to-full-time workers. Among those employed, analysis of continuous work and commute hours data suggested longer work and commute hours were positively associated with takeaway consumption (OR = 1·014, 95 % CI 0·999, 1·030, P-value = 0·066). Patterns of better behaviours were observed across most outcomes for those in 20MN than non-20MN. However, differences in associations between work and commute hours with food consumption across neighbourhood type were negligible.

CONCLUSIONS

Longer work and commute hours may induce poorer food behaviours. There was weak evidence to suggest 20MN moderate associations between work and commute hours with food consumption, although behaviours appeared healthier for those in 20MN.

Food Intake and Food Selection Following Physical Relocation: A Scoping Review

Objectives: To synthesize the current available evidence on the changes in food intake and food selection after physical relocation in non-refugee populations. Methods: The inclusion criteria were studies with a measurement of food selection and/or food intake in non-refugee populations where physical relocation had occurred with self-reported or objective assessment of the neighbourhood physical environment before and after relocation. Databases searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and SCOPUS from 1946 to August 2022. Results: A total of four articles met the inclusion criteria. Overall, these studies gave longitudinal (n = 2) and cross-sectional (n = 2) evidence to suggest that moving to an urban neighbourhood with more convenience stores, cafés and restaurants around the home was associated with an increase in unhealthy food intake in adult populations. Additional factors such as income, vehicle access, cost, availability and perceptions of the local food environment played a role in shaping food selection and food intake. Conclusion: Four internal migration studies were found. The limited evidence base calls for more research. Future studies should include children and apply appropriate research designs to account for neighbourhood self-selection and concurrent life events. International migration studies should include assessment of neighbourhood physical environments pre- and post-relocation.