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Sense of coherence is significantly associated with both metabolic syndrome and lifestyle in Japanese computer software office workers

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

Abstract

Objectives

Sense of coherence (SOC) is an individual characteristic related to a positive life orientation, leading to effective coping. Little is known about the relationship between SOC and metabolic syndrome (MetS). This cross-sectional study aimed at testing the hypothesis that workers with a strong SOC have fewer atherosclerotic risk factors, including MetS, and healthier lifestyle behaviors.

Material and Methods

One hundred and sixty-seven computer software workers aged 20–64 years underwent a periodical health examination including assessment of body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipid levels, fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels and lifestyle behaviors (walking duration, smoking status, nutrition, alcohol consumption, and sleep duration). During this period, the participants also completed a 29-item questionnaire of SOC and the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire to assess job stressors such as job strain and workplace social support.

Results

Our results showed that the participants with a stronger SOC were likely to walk for at least 1 h a day, to eat slowly or at a moderate speed, and to sleep for at least 6 h. Compared with the participants with the weakest SOC, those with the strongest SOC had a significantly lower odds ratio (OR) for being overweight (OR = 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.11–0.81), and having higher FBS levels (OR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.02–0.54), dyslipidemia (OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.09–0.84), and MetS (OR = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02–0.63), even after adjusting for age, gender and job stressors.

Conclusions

High SOC is associated with a healthy lifestyle and fewer atherosclerotic risk factors, including MetS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, Department of Health Development, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka, Japan

    Yusaku Morita, Masanori Ohta, Tomohiro Inoue, Toru Honda, Yoshimasa Konno, Yasumasa Eguchi & Hiroshi Yamato

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  1. Yusaku Morita
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  2. Masanori Ohta
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  3. Tomohiro Inoue
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  7. Hiroshi Yamato
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Correspondence to Yusaku Morita.

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Morita, Y., Ohta, M., Inoue, T. et al. Sense of coherence is significantly associated with both metabolic syndrome and lifestyle in Japanese computer software office workers. IJOMEH 27, 967–979 (2014). https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0322-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0322-4

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