Work conditions affect diabetes risk, study finds
A new study from Tel Aviv University proves that work conditions really do have an influence on mental and physical health.
Specifically, the study found that low levels of social support in the workplace combined with high levels of stress could predict the development of diabetes - even for people who were otherwise healthy.
Researchers analyzed 5,843 individuals after they received routine physical exams. At the beginning of the study, none of the participants were diabetic and all were considered to be healthy.
To determine just how job stress and work environment contributed to physical health, the team used what they called an "expanded job strain model," which accounted for the participants' level of social support, workload and control over work-related objectives and deadlines.
Being over- or under-worked increases diabetes risk
The individuals were followed for a period of 41 months, during which 182 people developed diabetes. Participants who said they have high levels of social support were 22 percent less likely to develop the disease, while people who described themselves as either over- or under-worked had an 18 percent higher chance of developing the condition. The study also found that social support on its own could be a protective factor against diabetes.
"You don't want to see working populations have an increasing rate of diabetes," said Dr. Sharon Toker of the university's Faculty of Management. "It's costly to both employees and employers, resulting in absenteeism and triggering expensive medical insurance."
The results of the study also accounted for age, BMI, family history and activity levels.
Work-life balance, appropriate workload and social support important
In an era when job demands are higher than ever, the study sheds light on just how damaging negative work environments can be to physical health. Toker says it's important for employers to take into account the need for work-life balance, appropriate workloads and social support for employees.
The study is published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.
Source: Medical Xpress
More Articles
With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.
Farro...
Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....
With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...
If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...
In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.
When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...
More Articles
If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....
For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.
A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...
According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...
Eleven Clinical Studies
After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...
Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...
Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...
Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...
Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...
Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....
When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...
Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.
The...
Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...
Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...
Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...
One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...