 FRAMING HEALTH MATTERS

There is increasing evidence that obesity and overweight may be related, in part, to adverse work conditions. In particular, the risk of obesity may increase in high- demand, low-control work environments, and for those who work long hours. In addition, obesity may modify the risk for vibration-induced injury and certain occupational musculoskeletal disorders. We hypothesized that obesity may also be a co-risk factor for the development of occupational asthma and cardiovascular disease that and it may modify the worker's response to occupational stress, immune response to chemical expo- sures, and risk of disease from occupational neurotoxins. We developed 5 con- ceptual models of the interrelationship of work, obesity, and occupational safety and health and highlighted the ethical, legal, and social issues related to fuller con- sideration of obesity's role in occupational health and safety. (Am J Public Health. 2007;97:428-436. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2006.086900) modifiable risk factors such as smoking, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, alcohol use, and medication levels when one is addressing workplace issues? Is there any particular ad- vantage to intervention in the workplace to affect the prevalence of obesity? We exam- ined the nexus of obesity, work, and occupa- tional disease and injury; identified informa- tion gaps and potential research leads; and highlighted ethical, legal, and social issues related to the intersection of these topics.