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. 59:685–694, 2016.