New study on Metabolic Syndrome and occupations

If you're looking at one more reason to lose weight, you might need to pay more attention to your occupation.  A recent study by researchers in Florida suggests that certain occupations are at greater risk for the metabolic syndrome.

To provide some background, the metabolic syndrome is considered a multiplex risk factor or basically a combination of medical disorders which increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, fatty liver, diabetes and several types of cancer. 

Which occupations were at greatest risk?

• food preparation and food service workers – greatest risk
• farm managers, operators, and supervisors – also have the were in the highest risk category (29.6-31.1% age-adjusted prevalence)
• transportation/material moving workers had significantly greater odds than executive, administrative, and managerial professionals.

The researchers hope that by identifying occupational groups at greatest risk, interventions can be targeted to those at highest risk of developing the metabolic syndrome. 

reference:
Davila EP, Florez H, Fleming LE, Lee DJ, Goodman E, Leblanc WG, Caban-Martinez AJ, Arheart KL, McCollister KE, Christ SL, Clark JC 3rd, Clarke T. Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome among US Workers.Diabetes Care. 2010 Jun 28.