Women Who Work Long Hours Increase Their Risk Of Diabetes
New research has revealed that women who work 45 hours or more every week may be increasing their risk of developing diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main topic discussed in this episode of Health Professional Radio?
This episode covers important developments in healthcare, including updates on Diabetes. Health Professional Radio brings you expert insights and analysis on the latest medical news affecting healthcare professionals and patients alike.
How can healthcare professionals benefit from this information?
Healthcare professionals can stay informed about the latest developments in Diabetes and related fields, enabling them to provide better patient care. Staying current with medical news helps clinicians make evidence-based decisions in their practice.
Where can I find more information about Diabetes?
For more detailed information, listen to the full episode on Health Professional Radio and visit hpr.fm for additional resources. You can also subscribe to our podcast for regular updates on healthcare news and expert interviews.
Previous studies, suggesting an association between working long hours and an increased risk of diabetes, primarily focused on men.
However, this recent study seems to indicate that men who work the exact amount of time are not affected.
Working longer hours may even lower incidence of diabetes for them.
In comparison to women who work 35–40 hours every week, female workers who work 45 hours per week are at risk of developing diabetes by 63% higher.
The study authors analyzed data from the 2003 Canadian Community Health survey where 35–74-year-old respondents were included.
They also reviewed the database for physician services of the Ontario Health Insurance Plan and the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database in relation to hospital admissions.
Overall, 7,000 Canadian employees participated in this study.
Factors, such as sex, marital status, place of birth, place of residence, parenting, weight, lifestyle, chronic health issues and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed by researchers.
The team also took into consideration the type of work and shift hours the participant had.
The chance of diabetes was “only slightly reduced” when they considered factors like smoking and alcohol levels.
Researchers noted that even though they couldn’t indicate a definite cause and effect from the data they gathered, motivating women to work lesser works may decrease their risk of getting diabetes.
The data used in this research did not specify between type 1 and type 2 diabetes among the participants.
Approximately, the majority of case were type 2 since around 5% of cases were type 1.
“Considering the rapid and substantial increase of diabetes prevalence in Canada and worldwide, identifying modifiable risk factors such as long work hours is of major importance to improve prevention and orient policy making, as it could prevent numerous cases of diabetes and diabetes-related chronic diseases”, the authors wrote.
According to The American Diabetes Association, an estimated 30 million people in the United States have diabetes and 7 million of them are unaware of it.
If further studies support these results, healthcare providers may give a recommendation of 40-hour labor for women every week.
This study was published in the BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care journal
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
