Work Schedule and Adherence to Leisure-Time Physical Activity Recommendations among U.S. Workers: Results from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey Occupational Health Supplement Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: As sedentary jobs are getting more common, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is becoming increasingly important for preventing disease and promoting health. Both the number of hours worked per week and the type of work shift are thought to affect LTPA; however no studies have examine the relation of overall job schedule (the type of shift and its duration taken together) to LTPA levels.

Methods: Data on work schedule and LTPA of 15,649 workers from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Occupational Health Supplement (OHS) were analyzed to determine whether workers met the Healthy People 2020 guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activities. The work schedule variable included six categories: 1) a long (≥ 48 hours/week) regular daytime schedule; 2) a typical full-time (40-47 hours/week) regular daytime schedule; 3) a long, irregular schedule; 4) a typical full-time, irregular schedule; 5) a part-time (<40 hours/week) regular schedule; and 6) a part-time, irregular schedule.

Results: Using logistic regression adjusted for demographic variables, we found that men who worked irregular shifts were more likely to meet the LTPA guidelines than men who worked regular, daytime shifts. There was no difference in adherence to LTPA guidelines between men who worked long hours and men who did not. Women who worked long hours (≥48 hours/week) were more likely to meet the LTPA guidelines than women who did not. Type of shift worked was not associated with meeting the LTPA guidelines.

Conclusions: These results suggest that work schedule may be associated with LTPA levels, but the mechanism of the observed association is not clear. In terms of lifestyle and health seeking behaviors people who work long or irregular hours may be systematically different from their counterparts who have regular, daytime work schedules.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Manuscript..............................................................................1
Abstract.................................................................................1
Introduction............................................................................2
Methods.................................................................................4
Results...................................................................................9
Discussion..............................................................................12
References.............................................................................15
Tables...................................................................................19
Appendices.............................................................................27
Appendix A: Comparison of Included and Excluded Observations........27
Appendix B: Initial Model Results.................................................31
Appendix C: SAS/SUDAAN Modeling Code......................................32
Appendix D: Institutional Review Board Letter................................37

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Epidemiology
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Health Sciences, Occupational Health and Safety Health Sciences, Epidemiology
Keyword	work schedule shift work long work hours work hours leisure-time physical activity work physical activity exercise
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Goodman, Michael, Emory University
Committee Members	Luckhaupt, Sara, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Partnering Agencies	CDC

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