Metabolic outcomes of workers according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations in Korea

Background Occupation influences the risk for developing chronic metabolic diseases. Methods We compared the prevalence of MetS by International Standard Classification of Occupations using the nationally representative data in Korea (KNHANES). We enrolled 16,763 workers (9,175 males; 7,588 females) who had measurements for the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria III and other variables. OR and 95%CIs for MetS and its components were estimated according to occupation using the multiple logistic regression models. Results The occupational groups with the highest age-standardized prevalence of MetS were lower skilled white-collar men (31.1 ± 2.4%) and green-collar women (24.2 ± 2.9%). Compared with the unskilled male blue-collar group, which had the lowest prevalence of MetS, the OR (95%CIs) of MetS in men were 1.77 (1.45–2.15) in higher skilled white-collar, 1.82 (1.47–2.26) in lower-skilled white-collar, 1.63 (1.32–2.01) in pink-collar and 1.37 (1.13–1.66) in skilled blue-collar workers in final logistic regression model. Conclusions MetS and its components vary by occupational category and gender in ways that may guide health interventions. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.