Abstract
The relationship between obesity and occupation has recently become a popular topic of research. Engineers have been found to have higher prevalence of obesity. Sedentary occupational activities, like seated deskwork, can be determinants of energy expenditure. Additionally, work-related stress can induce unhealthy eating behaviors and high total caloric intake. However, cross-sectional studies have not clarified whether obesity starts before a new job is begun. We therefore investigated whether those who intend to be engineers (hereinafter “engineers-to-be”) were already obese (based on BMI > 25). Observations were made during medical examinations at the time of starting employment for 179 engineers. Their obesity rate averaged 30%, which is 10% higher than that of non-engineers in the same age range, according to the National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan. Most of the observed obese young engineers-to-be had abdominal obesity. However, there was no significant difference between the rate of metabolic syndrome among engineers-to-be and non-engineers of the same age as reported in the survey. Obesity in young adulthood and midlife has been found to increase the risk of subsequently acquiring metabolic syndrome or dementia. Therefore, interventions targeting weight loss among young obese people and preventing obesity among engineers-to-be are essential not only at the individual level but also at the company level.
