Metabolic syndrome and central obesity in domestic migrant radiation decontamination workers

• Main Authors: Shota Endo, Takeyasu Kakamu, Yusuke Masuishi, Tomoo Hidaka, Tetsuhito Fukushima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Society for Occupational Health 2020-12-01
• Series: Environmental and Occupational Health Practice
• Subjects: central obesity; decontamination; metabolic syndrome; migrant workers

Objectives: To examine the association between metabolic syndrome or its components, including central obesity, and domestic migration in the radiation decontamination workers. Methods: This study was conducted on male workers who engaged in decontamination work at Iitate Village, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Of 125 workers, 91 answered a question about their domestic migration. Metabolic syndrome was assessed based on the criteria of the Japanese Committee for the Diagnostic Criteria of Metabolic Syndrome, using their health checkup data from February through June 2017. We used logistic regression analysis to examine the associations of metabolic syndrome and its components with migration status. Results: Of the 91 workers, 32 (35.1%) were migrant workers. The age-adjusted odds ratios of domestic migrant workers for metabolic syndrome, central obesity, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia were 1.75 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60–5.10), 2.45 (95% CI: 1.01–5.94), 1.07 (95% CI: 0.39–2.94), 0.40 (95% CI: 0.13–1.25), and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.34–2.20), respectively, compared to non-migrant workers. Conclusions: Domestic migrant radiation decontamination workers have a high prevalence of central obesity compared with non-migrant workers. Further longitudinal investigation is necessary for health promotion in domestic migrant workers.