Original Articles
Characteristics of Lifestyle Habits in People under High Stress
2020 Volume 35 Issue 2 Pages 185-193
Details
2020 Volume 35 Issue 2 Pages 185-193
Purpose: In recent years, more than half of working professionals have been experiencing considerable stress from their jobs and working life. In response, attempts have been made to improve the capacity of occupational health physicians and the relevant treatments. In this study, the relationship between stress and lifestyle habits was examined, with the aim of providing comprehensive physical and mental health support during health instruction.
Method: The subjects were 19,181 individuals (47.3±11.9 years old; 10,074 males, and 9,107 females), who underwent health examinations and stress checks at our center in FY2017. The relationship between people under high stress and lifestyle habit items listed on a standard questionnaire were analyzed.
Results: People under high stress accounted for 13.0% of the subjects, a high number of which were males (male: 14.2%, female: 11.8%) (p<0.001). Males in their 30s (17.6%) and females aged 29 and below (18.9%) made up the highest percentage of those highly stressed. The percentage decreased as the age increased. In the relationship with lifestyle habit items, the response rates in “can take sufficient rest by sleep” were extremely low among people under high stress, and significant differences were observed across all age groups in both men and women (p<0.001). Additionally, in age groups with a high percentage of people under high stress, there were significant differences in several question items concerning diet and weight changes in both men and women. In particular, the smoking rate of women under high stress was significantly high (29 years old and below: p<0.01, 30s and 40s: p<0.001, and 50s: p<0.05).
Conclusion: Most people under high levels of stress had unorganized lifestyles, suggesting that stress and lifestyle influence each other. It is, thus, concluded that the content of health instruction can be improved by giving guidance on lifestyle habits, taking into account the individual’s stress background, which could also contribute to mental health support.
