Akiko Morimoto: 1Department of Fundamental Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, Osaka Prefecture University, 3-7-30 Habikino, Habikino-city, Osaka 583-8555 Japan.
Soichiro Watanabe: 2Department of Mathematical Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan.
Yuko Ohno: 2Department of Mathematical Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan.
Kayo Godai: 3Department of Health Promotion Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan.
Chieko Hatamochi: 4Department of Adult Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, 583-8555 Japan.
Yoshie Sugimoto: 1Department of Fundamental Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, Osaka Prefecture University, 3-7-30 Habikino, Habikino-city, Osaka 583-8555 Japan.
Satoko Okawa: 5Department of Comprehensive Community Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, 583-8555 Japan.
Maiko Shikama: 2Department of Mathematical Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan.
Nao Sonoda: 1Department of Fundamental Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, Osaka Prefecture University, 3-7-30 Habikino, Habikino-city, Osaka 583-8555 Japan.
AIM: Understanding work-related factors associated with regular exercise in employees could be useful for determining appropriate interventions to prevent the onset and aggravation of diabetes. This study aimed to assess the associations among work-related stress and mental fatigue, and regular exercise in Japanese employees with or without diabetes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018, and included 2916 full-time employees aged older than 40 years without cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, kidney disease, disc herniation, and depression. Work-related stress was measured by the Job Content Questionnaire and work-related mental fatigue was measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). RESULTS: Regular exercise was present in 23.9% of 117 employees with diabetes and in 21.3% of 2799 employees without diabetes. In employees with diabetes, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for regular exercise were 0.26 (0.07-0.96) in those with an NRS score of 4-6 (moderate) and 0.22 (0.06-0.85) in those with an NRS score of 7-10 (severe) compared with those with an NRS score of 0-3 (none or mild), after adjusting for confounding factors. Similarly, in employees without diabetes, the multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for regular exercise were 0.77 (0.62-0.97) in those with an NRS score of 4-6 and 0.75 (0.59-0.94) in those with an NRS score of 7-10 compared with those with an NRS score of 0-3. CONCLUSIONS: Work-related mental fatigue was negatively associated with regular exercise in employees with and without diabetes.
