Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Fishing Community in Southern Italy

Background: Work organization and psychosocial factors influencing sleep patterns may be significant risk factors for developing obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the impact on the health of working patterns in the fishing sector is not well characterized. The aim of the study is to de...

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Main Authors: Angela Stufano, Simona D'Amore, Valentina Schino, Paolo Danza, Ivo Iavicoli, Piero Lovreglio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Safety and Health at Work
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791124000738
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author Angela Stufano
Simona D'Amore
Valentina Schino
Paolo Danza
Ivo Iavicoli
Piero Lovreglio
author_facet Angela Stufano
Simona D'Amore
Valentina Schino
Paolo Danza
Ivo Iavicoli
Piero Lovreglio
author_sort Angela Stufano
collection DOAJ
description Background: Work organization and psychosocial factors influencing sleep patterns may be significant risk factors for developing obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the impact on the health of working patterns in the fishing sector is not well characterized. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of MetS and its components in fishermen and to analyze occupational-specific risk factors contributing to metabolic alterations. Methods: One hundred forty-three male fishermen from Apulia (Southern Italy) and 93 male university workers age-matched and from the same geographical area were included in this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was administered to investigate socio-demographic variables, work activity, health status, and dietary habits. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation and blood sampling to depict their metabolic profile. Results: A higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.001) were observed in fishermen than in university workers. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in the prevalence of MetS (15.4% fishermen vs 16.1% university workers) and its relevant diagnostic criteria, except abdominal obesity (42.7% fishermen vs 29.0% university workers, p = 0.021). The Castelli risk index, the monocyte/c-HDL ratio, and the Sokolow index were significantly greater in fishermen (p < 0.001). In the fishermen group, the total number of sleeping hours on working days was negatively correlated with WC (r = -0.17; p = 0.04), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (c-LDL) (r = -0.21; p = 0.02), and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (r = -0.19; p = 0.02). Conclusion: The higher prevalence of obesity and the imbalance of the metabolic profile observed in fishermen could be related to occupational factors, including the specific working pattern that influences their sleeping hours and sleeping-waking rhythms.
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spelling doaj-art-d38d41f896eb4d5a8fc21c17c640ea082025-08-20T02:07:30ZengElsevierSafety and Health at Work2093-79112024-12-0115446447110.1016/j.shaw.2024.10.001Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Fishing Community in Southern ItalyAngela Stufano0Simona D'Amore1Valentina Schino2Paolo Danza3Ivo Iavicoli4Piero Lovreglio5Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine - Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy; Corresponding author. University of Bari, Bari, Giulio Cesare Square 4, 70125, Italy.Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine-Ionian Pole, University of Bari, Bari, ItalyInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine - Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, ItalyInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine - Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, ItalyDepartment of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, ItalyInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine - Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, ItalyBackground: Work organization and psychosocial factors influencing sleep patterns may be significant risk factors for developing obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the impact on the health of working patterns in the fishing sector is not well characterized. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of MetS and its components in fishermen and to analyze occupational-specific risk factors contributing to metabolic alterations. Methods: One hundred forty-three male fishermen from Apulia (Southern Italy) and 93 male university workers age-matched and from the same geographical area were included in this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was administered to investigate socio-demographic variables, work activity, health status, and dietary habits. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation and blood sampling to depict their metabolic profile. Results: A higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.001) were observed in fishermen than in university workers. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in the prevalence of MetS (15.4% fishermen vs 16.1% university workers) and its relevant diagnostic criteria, except abdominal obesity (42.7% fishermen vs 29.0% university workers, p = 0.021). The Castelli risk index, the monocyte/c-HDL ratio, and the Sokolow index were significantly greater in fishermen (p < 0.001). In the fishermen group, the total number of sleeping hours on working days was negatively correlated with WC (r = -0.17; p = 0.04), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (c-LDL) (r = -0.21; p = 0.02), and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (r = -0.19; p = 0.02). Conclusion: The higher prevalence of obesity and the imbalance of the metabolic profile observed in fishermen could be related to occupational factors, including the specific working pattern that influences their sleeping hours and sleeping-waking rhythms.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791124000738FisheriesHealth promotionObesityTotal Worker Health®Work organization
spellingShingle Angela Stufano
Simona D'Amore
Valentina Schino
Paolo Danza
Ivo Iavicoli
Piero Lovreglio
Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Fishing Community in Southern Italy
Safety and Health at Work
Fisheries
Health promotion
Obesity
Total Worker Health®
Work organization
title Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Fishing Community in Southern Italy
title_full Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Fishing Community in Southern Italy
title_fullStr Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Fishing Community in Southern Italy
title_full_unstemmed Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Fishing Community in Southern Italy
title_short Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Fishing Community in Southern Italy
title_sort metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors in a fishing community in southern italy
topic Fisheries
Health promotion
Obesity
Total Worker Health®
Work organization
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791124000738
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