Differences in determinants affecting longitudinal change of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity due to differences in baseline among Japanese male workers.

[Purpose] No study has examined whether the determinants of longitudinal changes in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity differ depending on the baseline brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity values. Therefore, this study aimed to extract these determinants in high- and low-value groups based on the FY2014 brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity values. [Participants and Methods] Participants were 97 male workers who underwent continuous health assessments from FY2014 to four years later. Their demographic, lifestyle, body-composition, and hemodynamic data were recorded. First-year data were subtracted from data obtained four years later for each continuous variable item, and the difference divided by the number of years was considered as the annual change. Based on the first-year median brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, participants were classified into high- and low-brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity groups, i.e., high- and low-value groups, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was performed with the annual change in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity serving as the dependent variable for both groups. [Results] In comparison with the values obtained in the first year, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity obtained four years later increased significantly in the low-value group and tended to increase in the high-value group. Increased visceral fat area in the high-value group and increased diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in the low-value group were associated with worsening brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. [Conclusion] The determinants of longitudinal changes in the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity differed depending on the baseline brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity values.

Lipid metabolism disorders associated with dioxin exposure in a cohort of Chinese male workers revealed by a comprehensive lipidomics study.

Dioxins, environmentally stable and ubiquitous, have been found to induce metabolic changes especially in lipids and be related to multiple diseases. However, limited study is available on lipid alternations related to human exposure to dioxins. This study aims to explore the serum lipidomic characterization and to understand the underlying mechanisms of adverse health risks associated with dioxin exposure. A lipidomic study integrating nontargeted lipidomics, and targeted free fatty acid (FFA) and acyl-coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) analyses were conducted to investigate the 94 serum samples from two groups of male workers with remarkably different dioxin concentrations. The obtained results exhibited distinct lipidomic signatures between the high and low exposed groups. A total of 37 lipids were identified with the significant changes. The results revealed that dioxin exposure caused accumulations of triglyceride (TG), ceramide (Cer) and sphingoid (So), remodeling of glycerophospholipid (GP), imbalanced FFA metabolism, as well as upregulation of platelet-activating factor (PAF). These findings implied the associations between dioxin exposure and potential adverse health risks including inflammation, apoptosis, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and liver diseases. This study is the first to explain the associations between dioxin exposure and health effects at the level of lipid metabolism.

Andropause symptoms and sickness absence in Japanese male workers: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between andropause symptoms and sickness absence in Japanese male workers over 2 years. METHODS: A baseline survey asking about andropause symptoms, along with blood sampling for testosterone level, was conducted in June 2009. A total of 418 men (mean age = 52.4 years, SD = 8.6) participated and were followed through 2011. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sickness absence were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 31 of 35 participants who took sickness absences had physical illnesses. A higher andropause symptom score was associated with an increased risk of sickness absence. Testosterone deficiency (<350 ng/dL) was not associated with sickness absence. Among the subscales of andropause symptoms, the somatic symptom score was positively associated with sickness absence, whereas testosterone deficiency combined with high sexual symptoms was not associated with sickness absence. Results were similar when limited to sickness absence because of physical illness. No significant interaction between andropause symptoms and testosterone deficiency was found. CONCLUSIONS: Non-specific andropause symptoms unrelated to testosterone deficiency were positively associated with sickness absence.

The mediation role of work-life balance stress and chronic fatigue in the relationship between workaholism and depression among Chinese male workers in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Few studies have tested the underlying mechanisms in the association between workaholism and depression. This study aims to investigate the potential mediation effects of work-life balance stress and chronic fatigue and depression among Chinese male workers in Hong Kong. METHODS: A population-based study among male workers in Hong Kong (n = 1,352) was conducted. The self-reported scales of assessing workaholism, work-life balance stress, chronic fatigue and depressive symptoms were included in the questionnaire. Path analysis was conducted to test the proposed mediation model. RESULTS: Workaholism was directly and indirectly associated with depression through work-life balance stress and chronic fatigue, respectively. The association between work-life balance stress and chronic fatigue was statistically significant in the correlation analysis but not in the path analysis. As high as 30.5% of the participants were classified as having probable chronic fatigue, while 8.4% of the participants were classified as having probable depression. DISCUSSION: Workaholism is a stressor that may induce negative consequences on well-being and health among male workers in Hong Kong. Interventions to help workers with time and stress management and fatigue reduction may be beneficial for their mental health. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Risk Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Upper and Lower Back Pain in Male Underground Coal Miners in Punjab, Pakistan.

There is not enough data available on occupational health and safety issues of underground coal miners in Pakistan. This study focuses on spinal disorders in association with personal and occupational factors. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used for a cross-sectional study of 260 workers of 20 mines located in four districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Regression models were created for upper back pain and lower back pain of workers whose mean age is 19.8 years (±SD 1.47). Results identify the coal cutting as the most harmful work with odds ratios (ORs) 13.06 (95% confidence interval (CI) 13.7-21.5) for lower back pain and 11.2 (95% CI 3.5-19.4) for upper back pain in participants. Those with greater years of work experience had higher odds of upper back pain (2.4, 95% CI 1.4-3.5) and lower back pain (3.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.4). Number of repetitions (mean value 25.85/minute with ±SD 9.48) are also significant for spinal disorder with ORs of 4.3 (95% CI 3.2-7.4) for lower back and 1.3 (95% CI 1.0-2.4) for upper back. Many other occupational and personal factors are positively associated with the back pain in underground coal mines workers, requiring immediate ergonomic intervention.

Prevalence of cigarette smoking and its related factors among Iranian male workers.

Background: Smoking is considered as the second leading risk factor of early death and disability throughout the world. Smoking is the second leading risk factor of early death and disability in the world. The workplace is an important setting for the implementation of cigarette smoking prevention and control interventions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking and related factors by focusing on ADHD and risk-taking behaviors among a sample of Iranian workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2434 male workers of Kaveh Industrial City in Saveh. Random cluster sampling was used in the selection of workers. All workers completed five sets of anonymous and validated questionnaires. ADHD was measured by Conner's Adult ADHD Rating Scales. Data analysis was done using chi-square, independent t-test and logistic regression model in STATA 10. Also, P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the workers was 32.80±7.05 years. The prevalence of cigarette smoking in the lifetime, last year, last month, and daily or almost daily in the last month were 26.2%, 20.6% , 18.5%, and 13.1% respectively. After adjustment, age (OR=1.08), sensation seeking (OR=1.57), hookah smoking (OR=4.21), alcohol use (OR=2.51), sexual risk behaviors (OR=2.25), religiosity (OR=0.95) and self-esteem (OR=2.02) were associated with cigarette smoking. Conclusion: Our results showed that 13.1 % of workers were regular smokers (daily or almost daily). Specific programs in workplaces, including interventions to enhance self-steam and reduce anxiety, can be effective in lowering cigarette smoking prevalence. Also, comprehensive interventions to reduce or prevent different risk-taking behaviors can be considered as elements of preventive action plans.

Occupational manganese exposure, reproductive hormones, and semen quality in male workers: A cross-sectional study.

It has been found that exposure to manganese (Mn) could induce reproductive dysfunction, but its occupational risk in male workers is unclear. This study aims to assess the association of occupational Mn exposure with reproductive hormones and semen quality in a cross-sectional study. Urinary Mn, semen quality, and reproductive hormones were explored in 84 male workers occupationally exposed to Mn and 92 referents. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the relationship. Urinary Mn levels in Mn-exposed workers ranged from 0.56 to 34.25 µg/L, and the average level was 15.92 ± 8.49 µg/L. Compared with the control group, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) levels and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels increased significantly and the levels of testosterone (TSTO) decreased significantly in the Mn-exposed group. There was a significant positive linear association between urinary Mn and GnRH and LH, while the linear association between urinary Mn and TSTO was negative. Sperm progressive motility and total motility decreased significantly in the Mn-exposed group. There was a significantly negative linear association between urinary Mn and sperm progressive motility and total motility. In conclusion, occupational Mn exposure was inversely associated with reproductive health of male workers, resulting in the abnormality of hormones secretion and decrease of sperm motility.

Evaluation of chemical-specific IgG antibodies in male workers from a urethane foam factory.

BACKGROUND: Plastic resins are complex chemicals that contain toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and/or trimellitic anhydride (TMA), which cause occupational allergies (OA), including respiratory allergies. Serum IgGs against TDI and TMA have been suggested as potential markers of the exposure status and as exploring cause of OA. Although TDI-specific IgG has been examined for suspected OA, TMA-specific IgG is not commonly evaluated in a urethane foam factory. This study therefore investigated both TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs in suspected OA patients and to evaluate the usefulness of the measurement of multiple chemical-specific IgG measurement for practical monitoring. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from two male workers who developed respiratory allergies supposedly caused by occupational exposure to TDI and/or TMA for the presence of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs. In addition, blood samples from 75 male workers from a urethane foam factory, along with 87 male control subjects, were collected in 2014 and tested for the same IgGs in 2014. The presence and levels of TDI- and TMA-specific serum IgGs were measured using dot blot assays. RESULTS: We found that controls had mean concentrations of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs of 0.98 and 2.10 µg/mL, respectively. In the two workers with respiratory allergies, the TDI-specific IgG concentrations were 15.6 and 9.51 µg/mL, and TMA-specific IgG concentrations were 4.56 and 14.4 µg/mL, which are clearly higher than those in controls. Mean concentrations of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs in the factory workers were 1.89 and 2.41 µg/mL, respectively, and are significantly higher than those of the controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.026 for TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs, respectively). CONCLUSION: The workers suspected of OA showed an evidently high level of TDI- and TMA-specific IgG, and these levels in workers at the urethane foam factory were also significantly higher than those in controls. In conclusion, the measurement of TDI- and TMA-specific IgG among workers using plastic resins is helpful to monitor their exposure status.

Association Between Cortisol to DHEA-s Ratio and Sickness Absence in Japanese Male Workers.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the association between serum levels of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-s) and sickness absence over 2 years in Japanese male workers. METHOD: A baseline survey including questions about health behavior, along with blood sampling for cortisol and DHEA-s, was conducted in 2009. In total, 429 men (mean ± SD age, 52.9 ± 8.6 years) from whom blood samples were collected at baseline were followed until December 31, 2011. The hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for sickness absence were calculated using a Cox proportional hazard model, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 35 workers who took sickness absences, 31 had physical illness. A high cortisol to DHEA-s ratio increased the risk of sickness absence (crude HR = 2.68, 95% CI 1.12-6.41; adjusted HR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.35-8.20). The cortisol to DHEA-s ratio was linearly associated with an increased risk of sickness absence (p for trend < .050). Single effects of cortisol and DHEA-s levels were not associated with sickness absences. This trend did not change when limited to absences resulting from physical illness. CONCLUSION: Hormonal conditions related to the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and adrenal function should be considered when predicting sickness absence. The cortisol to DHEA-s ratio may be more informative than single effects of cortisol and DHEA-s levels.

Analysis of suicidal ideation and its related factors among migrant construction male workers in Pudong New Area, Shanghai / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To understand the suicidal ideation among migrant construction male workers in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, and analyze the influence factors based on social cognitive theory. Methods: Surveys were carried out among 1 850 migrant construction male workers from 3 randomly chosen construction sites using cluster random sampling. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regressions analysis were used to explore the association between suicidal ideation and its related factors such as negative psychology, negative cognition and high-risk behavior. Results: Among the total 1 580 respondents completed the survey, 126 (8.0%) reported having suicidal ideation. In the univariate Logistic regression analysis, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, depression, generalized anxiety and loneliness were risk factors for suicidal ideation, while perceived social support was a protective factor. Five of the six variables, alcohol abuse (ORm=2.15, 95%CI 1.42-3.24), depression (ORm=2.47, 95%CI 1.17-5.21), generalized anxiety (ORm=2.24, 95%CI 1.50- 3.35), loneliness (ORm=2.09, 95%CI 1.28-3.40) and perceived social support (ORm=1.84, 95%CI 1.20-2.83) were selected by the multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Suicidal ideation among migrant construction male workers in Pudong New Area, Shanghai occurs under the influence of negative psychology, negative cognition and high-risk behavior. For the crowds, family and society should be actively promoted and mental health interventions should be strengthened, which could effectively prevent suicide ideation.

Evaluation of chemical-specific IgG antibodies in male workers from a urethane foam factory

BACKGROUND@#Plastic resins are complex chemicals that contain toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and/or trimellitic anhydride (TMA), which cause occupational allergies (OA), including respiratory allergies. Serum IgGs against TDI and TMA have been suggested as potential markers of the exposure status and as exploring cause of OA. Although TDI-specific IgG has been examined for suspected OA, TMA-specific IgG is not commonly evaluated in a urethane foam factory. This study therefore investigated both TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs in suspected OA patients and to evaluate the usefulness of the measurement of multiple chemical-specific IgG measurement for practical monitoring.@*METHODS@#Blood samples were collected from two male workers who developed respiratory allergies supposedly caused by occupational exposure to TDI and/or TMA for the presence of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs. In addition, blood samples from 75 male workers from a urethane foam factory, along with 87 male control subjects, were collected in 2014 and tested for the same IgGs in 2014. The presence and levels of TDI- and TMA-specific serum IgGs were measured using dot blot assays.@*RESULTS@#We found that controls had mean concentrations of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs of 0.98 and 2.10 μg/mL, respectively. In the two workers with respiratory allergies, the TDI-specific IgG concentrations were 15.6 and 9.51 μg/mL, and TMA-specific IgG concentrations were 4.56 and 14.4 μg/mL, which are clearly higher than those in controls. Mean concentrations of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs in the factory workers were 1.89 and 2.41 μg/mL, respectively, and are significantly higher than those of the controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.026 for TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs, respectively).@*CONCLUSION@#The workers suspected of OA showed an evidently high level of TDI- and TMA-specific IgG, and these levels in workers at the urethane foam factory were also significantly higher than those in controls. In conclusion, the measurement of TDI- and TMA-specific IgG among workers using plastic resins is helpful to monitor their exposure status.

Analysis of suicidal ideation and its related factors among migrant construction male workers in Pudong New Area, Shanghai / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective·To understand the suicidal ideation among migrant construction male workers in Pudong New Area,Shanghai,and analyze the influence factors based on social cognitive theory.Methods · Surveys were carried out among 1 850 migrant construction male workers from 3 randomly chosen construction sites using cluster random sampling.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regressions analysis were used to explore the association between suicidal ideation and its related factors such as negative psychology,negative cognition and high-risk behavior.Results· Among the total 1 580 respondents completed the survey,126 (8.0％) reported having suicidal ideation.In the univariate Logistic regression analysis,drug abuse,alcohol abuse,depression,generalized anxiety and loneliness were risk factors for suicidal ideation,while perceived social support was a protective factor.Five of the six variables,alcohol abuse (Orm=2.15,95％CI 1.42-3.24),depression (Orm=2.47,95％CI 1.17-5.21),generalized anxiety (Orm=2.24,95％CI 1.50-3.35),loneliness (Orm=2.09,95％CI 1.28-3.40) and perceived social support (Orm=1.84,95％CI 1.20-2.83) were selected by the multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Conclusion · Suicidal ideation among migrant construction male workers in Pudong New Area,Shanghai occurs under the influence of negative psychology,negative cognition and high-risk behavior.For the crowds,family and society should be actively promoted and mental health interventions should be strengthened,which could effectively prevent suicide ideation.

Impact of night-shift work on the prevalence of erosive esophagitis in shipyard male workers.

PURPOSE: Whether night-shift work is a risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux disease is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between night-shift work and other factors, and erosive esophagitis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 6040 male shipyard workers was performed. Esophagogastroduodenoscopic examination and a survey about night-shift work status, lifestyle, medical history, educational status, and marital status were conducted in all workers. The odds ratios of erosive esophagitis according to night-shift work status were calculated by using the logistic regression model. RESULTS: The prevalence of erosive esophagitis increased in the night-shift workers [odds ratio, 95 % confidence interval: 1.41 (1.03-1.94)]. According to multiple logistic regression models, night-shift work, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption of ≥140 g/week were significant risk factors for erosive esophagitis. By contrast, Helicobacter pylori infection was negatively associated with erosive esophagitis. CONCLUSION: Night-shift work is suggested to be a risk factor for erosive esophagitis. Avoidance of night-shift work and lifestyle modification should be considered for prevention and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Overeating at dinner time among Japanese workers: Is overeating related to stress response and late dinner times?

There are several known risk factors for overeating, including negative feelings and hunger. It was hypothesized that overtime work is associated with stress responses and later dinner times, leading to longer periods of time without eating, and that this, in turn, leads to a strong experience of hunger and consequent overeating at dinner. The aim of this study was to examine relationships among overeating at dinner, stress responses (e.g., fatigue, anxiety, and depression), and dinner times in Japanese male workers. In December 2012, 255 Japanese male workers at a leasing company completed a self-report questionnaire about overeating at dinner, psychological stress responses, physical stress responses, and dinner times. Each worker was sent an email with a link to the questionnaire website, where his answers were collected. Relationships between overeating at dinner and lifestyle issues were investigated using multiple linear regression analysis treating overeating as a dependent variable. Factors related to overeating at dinner included psychological stress response (ß = 0.251 p < 0.001) and dinner time (ß = 0.220, p = 0.004). These cross-sectional data suggest that overeating at dinner is related to dinner time in men and to stress responses.

Reasons for smoking cessation attempts among Japanese male smokers vary by nicotine dependence level: a cross-sectional study after the 2010 tobacco tax increase.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between smoking cessation attempts during the previous 12 months, motivators to quit smoking and nicotine dependence levels among current male smokers after Japan's massive 2010 tobacco tax increase. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A self-reported questionnaire about smoking habits, nicotine dependence levels and factors identified as motivators to quit smoking was administered to 9378 employees working at a company located in Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan (as of 1 October 2011). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2251 male current smokers 20-69 years old. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Nicotine dependence level assessed by Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD), smoking cessation attempts during the previous 12 months and motivators for smoking cessation. RESULTS: The proportion of current smokers who had attempted to quit smoking within the previous 12 months was 40.6%. Nicotine dependence level of current smokers was negatively associated with cessation attempts during the previous 12 months. Motivators for smoking cessation differed by nicotine dependence levels. 'The rise in cigarette prices since October 2010' as a smoking cessation motivator increased significantly at the medium nicotine dependence level (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.90); however, this association was not statistically significant for individuals with high nicotine dependence (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.92). 'Feeling unhealthy' was significantly negatively associated for medium (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.65) and high (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.71) nicotine dependence levels. Trend associations assessed by assigning ordinal numbers to total FTCD score for those two motivators were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of smoking cessation strategies can be improved by considering the target group's nicotine dependence level. For smokers with medium and high nicotine dependence levels, more effective strategies aimed at encouraging smoking cessation, such as policy interventions including increasing tobacco taxes, are needed.

The Functional Food Usage and Relation with Fatigue for Male Workers / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common problem in male workers as they have responsibilities in both role in home and in work place. The use of functional food has been one of the popular choices for fatigue recovery. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of functional food usage and its relationship with fatigue in male workers. METHODS: The study subjects were male workers seen for health check up at a university hospital in Busan from May to July 2009. They completed a questionnaire including social factor, occupational factor, life style, functional food usage and disease status. The subjects were divided into groups according to fatigue severity. RESULTS: Among 770 subjects, 267 (34.7%) consumed functional food daily. Most of them used functional food to recover fatigue as a supplement nutrition by their wife's or surrounding person's recommendation. There were significant difference between fatigue and non-fatigue group in age, occupation satisfaction, alcohol drinking, and insomnia. The prevalence of fatigue was 37.8%. The functional food usage significantly increased with fatigue severity scale (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Fatigue is common problem in male workers. The functional food usage is relation with fatigue severity.

The Effect of Repeated Nutrition Education on Health Improvement Program by Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) Evaluation in Office Workers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 3-month nutrition education (First Time Intervention, FI) + additional 3-month nutrition education (Repeated Intervention, RI) which was performed after the 8-month follow-up. FI was conducted during 0-3 months and RI for 11-14 months. Ninety-two subjects completed FI program, and 38 out of 92 subjects who received FI finished the RI. Anthropometric data, dietary assessment (24hr recall) and fasting blood analysis were measured at 0 month, 3 months, 11 months and 14 months time points. After FI (3 mo), waist circumference, triglycerides, total cholesterol were significantly decreased. At 11 month follow-up, body weight, BMI, hip circumference, SBP, DBP were significantly rebounced and HDL cholesterol was significantly decreased. Therefore, the effect of short-term nutrition education was not being sustained. After the secondary nutrition intervention (14 mo), waist circumference and hip circumference were again significantly decreased. Total diet quality index-international (DQI-I) score was significantly increased in both FI group and RI group. The changes in DQI-I scores were significantly correlated with the changes in body weight (r = -0.129, p < 0.05) and counts of nutrition education (r = 0.159, p < 0.05), indicating that effective nutrition education helps improve the diet quality leading to a possible role in CVD prevention among male workers. Although a short-term intervention seems to be a success, the effect was not retained in this study. Therefore, we suggest incorporating nutrition education as a routine program for male worker at worksite.

Influence of Epinephrine and Norepinephrine on the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome Occurrence in Workers Exposed to Hazardous Chemicals / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to clarify effects of long term, low-level monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure (MAHs) such as styrene, toluene and xylene on physiological levels of epinephrine (EP) and norepinephrine (NEP) and these hormones influences diagnosis indices of metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: Blood pressure and serum biochemical parameters were measured using digital sphygmomanometer and autochemical analyzer. EP and NEP were analyzed by using ELISA kit and exposure level of MAHs was measured by NIOSH method. RESULTS: The differences of general characteristics such as age, smoking and drinking habits in both groups were not significantly different except working hours per day. In exposed workers, exposure levels of MAHs showed very low concentrations. Serum HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in exposed group, but concentration of NEP was significantly higher in control group. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the diagnosis indices of MetS, EP was WC (OR=0.970), NEP was blood pressure (OR=1.002) and MAHs exposure were significantly associated with HDL-cholesterol (OR=0.257), fasting glucose (OR=3.028) and MetS (OR=0.372). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the chronic exposure of low level MAHs maycontribute to glucose metabolism and induction of MetS. And also, changes of EP and NEP levels by exposure of MAHs affect blood pressure.

The Effects of a Worksite On-line Health Education Program on Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors and Nutrient Intakes of Male Workers

Worksite health promotion programs have been associated with reductions in health risks but are labor-intensive and costly to implement. Therefore, innovative strategies to provide a cost-effective approach to health education program are needed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a worksite on-line health education program by e-mail on metabolic syndrome risk factors and dietary intakes in male workers with metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured and the nutrient intakes were assessed through FFQ. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was adapted from NCEP-ATP III with blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, and Asia-Pacific definition with waist circumference. The education group consisted of 212 male workers and the non-education group of 236 age-matched male workers. The on-line health education program provided 10 sessions by e-mail. After a worksite on-line health education program, systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and fasting blood glucose (p < 0.001) were significantly decreased and HDL cholesterol (p < 0.001) was significantly increased in the education group. Intakes of total energy (p < 0.05), carbohydrate (p < 0.05), sodium (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased in the education group, but there were no significant differences in dietary intakes in the non-education group after a worksite on-line health education program. The results indicate that online health education program by e-mail is effective for improving metabolic syndrome risk factors and dietary intakes in male workers and show potential for use in the working setting.

Effects of Obesity on the Physiological Levels of Adiponectin, Leptin and Diagnostic Indices of Metabolic Syndrome in Male Workers / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of obesity on the physiological levels of adiponectin, leptin and components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in male workers, aged 30-40 years. METHODS: Body mass index (BMI) was measured with Anthropometric equipment. Blood pressure and serum parameters were measured with an automatic digital sphygmomanometer and autochemical analyzer, respectively. Adiponectin and leptin were analysed by ELISA kits and MS was defined based on the NCEP-ATP III. RESULTS: Body fat mass of waist and hip, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher, as expected, in the BMI> 25kg/m2 in comparison with the BMI25kg/m2 were also significantly higher compared with BMI< or =25kg/m2, HDL- cholesterol and adiponectin were significantly higher in BMI< or =25kg/m2. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the components of MS, exercise, adiponectin and leptin were an only independent factor for MS in non-obese male workers(BMI< or =25kg/m2) after adjustment for age, cigarette smoking and drinking habits. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the obesity in men was associated with physiological levels of adiponectin and leptin contributing to feedback control of MS and that dysfunction and/or declination in feedback control system associated with changes in physiological levels of neurptrophics: adiponectin and leptin might ultimately induce MS.