Workers in manufacturing, driving and cleaning jobs ‘are more likely to get type 2 diabetes because of their unhealthy lifestyles’
- Scientists studied almost five million people in 30 occupations
- In 2013, 4.2% of workers had diabetes, highest in male drivers at 8.8%
- Researchers found corresponding high BMI and lack of exercise
- The lowest prevalence of diabetes was teachers, physiotherapists and dentists
Workers in manufacturing, driving and cleaning jobs are more likely to get type 2 diabetes, according to a study of almost five million people.
They face a two to threefold increase in risk compared with teachers, physiotherapists and dentists.
Scientists blamed unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as a lack of exercise and smoking, for the ‘striking differences’.
Figures showed across occupations, prevalence of type 2 diabetes in men ranged from 8.8 per cent in motor vehicle drivers to 2.5 per cent in male computer scientists
If bosses helped their employees to live healthily, the researchers estimated almost half of type 2 diabetes cases could be avoided.
WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition which causes a person’s blood sugar to get too high.
More than 4million people in the UK are thought to have some form of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with being overweight and you may be more likely to get it if it’s in the family.
The condition means the body does not react properly to insulin – the hormone which controls absorption of sugar into the blood – and cannot properly regulate sugar glucose levels in the blood.
Excess fat in the liver increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as the buildup makes it harder to control glucose levels, and also makes the body more resistant to insulin.
Weight loss is the key to reducing liver fat and getting symptoms under control.
Symptoms include tiredness, feeling thirsty, and frequent urination.
It can lead to more serious problems with nerves, vision and the heart.
Treatment usually involves changing your diet and lifestyle, but more serious cases may require medication.
Source: NHS Choices; Diabetes.co.uk
The study by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm looked at 30 of the most common occupations and covered 4,550,892 Swedes.
Researchers followed up the incidence of diabetes at age 35 or over in participants from 2006 to 2015. They found that 4.2 per cent of the working population had the illness but the rate in men ranged from 8.8 per cent in motor vehicle drivers to 2.5 per cent in computer scientists.
The range for women was from 6.4 per cent in manufacturing to 1.2 per cent among specialist managers. Factory workers had up to 80 per cent more risk of developing diabetes than the general working population.
But male university teachers and female physiotherapists and dentists had a 45 per cent reduced risk.
The study’s authors said: ‘To reduce the future diabetes burden it is crucial to curb the inflow of new patients. If a job title can be used as a risk indicator of type 2 diabetes, it can be used to identify groups for targeted interventions, and hopefully inspire employers to implement prevention programmes tailored to their workforces.’
The researchers also looked into lifestyle habits and found a clear link between diabetes and obesity and lack of exercise.
Dr Katarina Kos, a senior lecturer in diabetes and obesity at the University of Exeter, said: ‘This study shows that certain working environments require an increasing focus in introducing lifestyle change.
‘Increasingly we learn that sedentary jobs with little flexibility to take intermittent breaks are unhealthy in the longer term.’
Emma Elvin, a senior clinical adviser at Diabetes UK, said: ‘The important point to make clear here is that this study does not suggest that doing manufacturing, driving or cleaning jobs directly increase your risk.’
The study will be will be published in the journal Diabetologia.
WHICH JOBS HAVE THE HIGHEST PREVALENCE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES IN MEN?
Motor-vehicle drivers – 8.77%
Manufacturing labourers – 7.75%
Agricultural and other mobile plant operators – 7.21%
Personal carers – 7.12%
Office clerks – 7.14%
WHICH JOBS HAVE THE HIGHEST PREVALENCE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES IN WOMEN?
Manufacturing labourers – 6.42%
Cleaners – 5.09%
Kitchen assistants – 5.45%
Cooks, waitresses and housekeepers – 4.06%
Personal carers – 4.31%
WHAT WAS THE PREVALENCE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES IN EACH FEMALE PROFESSION?
Manufacturing labourers – 6.42 per cent
Cleaners – 5.09 per cent
Kitchen assistants – 5.45 per cent
Cooks, waitresses and housekeepers – 4.06 per cent
Personal carers – 4.31 per cent
Cashiers, tellers and related clerks – 4.17 per cent
Social work associate professionals – 3.12 per cent
Office clerks – 3.83 per cent
Client information clerks – 3.24 per cent
Total working population – 3.17 per cent
Retail salespersons – 2.86 per cent
Numerical clerks – 3.35 per cent
Office secretaries and data entry operators – 3.55 per cent
Health professionals – 2.71 per cent
Managers of small enterprises – 2.18 per cent
Engineers and technicians – 1.9 per cent
Accountants – 2.63 per cent
Nurses – 2.44 per cent
Public service administrative professionals – 2.21 per cent
Psychologists and social workers – 2.42 per cent
Finance and sales associate professionals – 1.73 per cent
Preschool and recreation teachers – 2.12 per cent
Computer scientists – 1.47 per cent
Production and operations managers – 1.99 per cent
Midwifes and specialist nurses – 2.19 per cent
Business professionals – 1.67 per cent
Elementary school teachers – 1.98 per cent
Senior high school teachers – 1.98 per cent
Specialist managers – 1.17 per cent
Writers, creative or performing artists – 1.29 per cent
Physiotherapists and dental hygienists – 1.60 per cent
WHAT WAS THE PREVALENCE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES IN EACH MALE PROFESSION?
Motor-vehicle drivers – 8.77 per cent
Manufacturing labourers – 7.75 per cent
Agricultural and other mobile plant operators – 7.21 per cent
Personal carers – 7.12 per cent
Office clerks – 7.14 per cent
Stores and transport clerks – 6.12 per cent
Metal- and mineral-products machine operators – 6.09 per cent
Machine operators – 5.75 per cent
Retail salespersons – 5.35 per cent
Metal moulders. welders and sheetmetal workers – 5.29 per cent
Assemblers – 5.33 per cent
Building finishers and related trades workers – 5.72 per cent
Machinery mechanics and fitters – 5.36 per cent
Total working population – 5.19 per cent
Electrical and electronic equipment mechanics – 5.48 per cent
Managers of small enterprises – 5.29 per cent
Construction workers- 4.13 per cent
Computer technicians and data operators – 3.64 per cent
Accountants – 5.53 per cent
Finance and sales associate professionals – 4.01 per cent
Elementary school teachers 4.43 per cent
Engineers and technicians – 4.26 per cent
Public service administrative professionals – 4.8 per cent
Directors and chief executives – 4.06 per cent
Production and operations managers – 3.53 per cent
Computer scientists – 2.46 per cent
Senior high school teachers – 4.31 per cent
Specialist managers 2.81 per cent
Business professionals – 3.42 per cent
Architects and civil engineers – 2.8 per cent
College and university teachers – 2.65 per cent
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