Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome has been increasing recently in Korea. Lifestyle and physical activity level differ according to different occupational groups. There is a great possibility of increased risk of metabolic syndrome and increased waist circumference according to different occupational groups. This study was performed to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome and occupation in Korean adults.
Methods: A total of 21,796 subjects aged above 30 years were analyzed from the Korean national health and nutrition examination survey 2007-2010. Associated factors with metabolic syndrome were analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis.
Results: The adjusted odds ratio for the metabolic syndrome was 2.30 (P = 0.001) for housewives which was high compared to office workers. The adjusted odds ratios for metabolic syndrome according to occupational groups in men over 30 in comparison to office workers were 0.57 for:agriculture, forestry and fishery workers and 0.59 for, manual laborers. Adjusted odds ratio for metabolic syndrome factors compared to non-office workers in men was (men): 1.33 for increased blood pressure. Adjusted odds ratios for metabolic syndrome factors compared to housewives were (women): 1.76 for abdominal obesity, 1.72 for increased blood glucose, 1.54 for decreased HDL, and 1.97 for increased TG.
Conclusions: It appears that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korea is higher among housewives in women, and higher among office workers in men. This study showed that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome differs by occupational groups. This result shows that job-specific programs are needed to prevent metabolic syndrome and manage health in general.

Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, Waist circumference, Occupation, Office workers, Housewives

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