A Swedish study of over 3,800 participants reveals that intense work pressure heightens women's risk of weight gain, regardless of education level. Researchers assessed men and women three times over 20 years, from ages 30 to 50 or 40 to 60, tracking body weight alongside job demands and control.
Job demands were measured by questions on work pace, psychological strain, time sufficiency for tasks, and conflicting requirements. Job control evaluated opportunities for learning new skills, creative problem-solving, advanced abilities, and personal discretion in tasks and methods.
Findings indicate that low job control increased the likelihood of substantial weight gain—defined as 10% or more—for both genders over the study period.
However, prolonged high job demands affected only women, with over half experiencing significant weight gain—about 20% higher than in those with low demands—across the 20 years.
"The impact of job demands was exclusive to women," notes the lead researcher. "While causes weren't directly examined, it may stem from combined work stress and women's disproportionate home responsibilities, limiting time for exercise and healthy habits."
These links persisted independent of academic education, diet quality, or other lifestyle factors. Note that self-reported dietary data carries potential for inaccuracies.
Given the public health implications of work-related stress, the researchers advocate targeting at-risk groups and reducing occupational stress to curb weight gain, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
