Health risk behaviors by occupation in working population in Spain

Objective: This study aims to analyze the variations in the prevalence of different health risk behaviors according to occupation in working population in Spain. Method: Cross-sectional study with data from the Spanish National Health Survey of 2017. The analysis includes adults between 18 and 65 years with employment at the time of the survey. Health risk behaviors are obesity, physical inactivity in free time, tobacco consumption and excessive alcohol consumption. The primary explanatory variable is the occupation, using the National Classification of Occupations of 2011. Sociodemographic characteristics are gender, age, country of birth and educational level. The prevalences (P) of risk behaviors have been calculated, as well as the odd and adjusted odds ratios (aOR). Results: The highest figures of obesity are observed in operators of installations and machinery and assemblers (P: 20.0%; ORa: 1.26; A95%CI: 1.04-1.52). The higher level of physical inactivity during free time appears in elementary occupations (P: 83.4%; ORa: 1.70; A95%CI: 1.45-1.99). Tobacco consumption is higher in operators of installations and machinery and assemblies (P: 37.4%; ORa: 1.22; A95%CI: 1.05-1.43). Excessive alcohol consumption appears to a greater extent on skilled workers in the agricultural sector, livestock, forestry and fisheries (P: 3.9%; ORa: 1.51; A95%CI: 0.83-2.75). Conclusions: The results indicate a greater relationship between risk behaviors for health and manual or lower-skilled occupations. (C) 2021 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.

Automated summary

The study aimed to analyze variations in health risk behaviors in the working population in Spain according to occupation. The results showed a stronger relationship between health risk behaviors and manual or lower-skilled occupations, such as higher obesity rates among operators of installations and machinery, and higher physical inactivity rates among elementary occupations.