Obesity in occupational groups of Western Siberia: comparison with representative national data

The aim of this study was to compare obesity prevalences in the occupational groups of Western Siberia with the national data. Materials and methods: We performed a single-step cross-sectional study enrolling 4472 employees of 14 occupational groups from Western Siberian institutions and enterprises. Obesity was considered to be present if the body mass index was 30.0 kg/m2; sex, age and education data were obtained with questionnaires. Age-adjusted obesity prevalence in the occupational groups (separately for men and women) was compared with the national data with calculation of odds ratio, attributable risk and 95% confidence interval. Results: Among women the prevalence of obesity was lower in teachers compared with the national data (OR=0.45; 95% CI: 0.31–0.66). Higher obesity prevalence was observed among operating personnel and technical workers (OR=1.69; 95% CI: 1.37–2.09) as well as metallurgy equipment operators (OR=1.65; 95% CI: 1.17–2.31). Among males higher obesity prevalence was registered in top-managers (OR=2.53; 95% CI: 1.80–3.55), operating personnel and technical workers (OR=2.03; 95% CI: 1.59–2.58), civil servants (OR=1.75; 95% CI: 1.27–2.40), and mechanics (OR=1.37; 95% CI: 1.08–1.73). Moreover, in women university education (higher percentage of employees having graduated from a higher professional institution) led to less obesity prevalence. In males no such tendencies were observed. Conclusions: The study allowed to identify the occupational groups of Western Siberia with higher obesity prevalence and to demonstrate the impact of sex and education level on this parameter. The obtained data can make a theoretical and practical basis for primary and secondary prevention of obesity in the workplace.