Association between lifestyle habits and presenteeism

Abstract Background Presenteeism is affected by work-related and individual factors. Among individual factors, the effect of combining various lifestyle habits on presenteeism is unknown. Aims This study aimed to determine the relationship between changes in multiple good lifestyle habits with a change in presenteeism and to examine the effect of psychological factors on this relationship. Methods We performed a 1-year retrospective cohort study on employees of large Japanese companies. Data were collected from health check-ups and a self-administered questionnaire. Changes in presenteeism were measured using the Quality and Quantity method. Changes in lifestyle habits were measured using a modified form of Breslow’s seven health practices. Psychological factors were measured using the Kessler 6-Item Psychological Distress Scale. Linear regression was used for statistical analysis. Results The number of practised lifestyle habit changes was negatively correlated with a change in presenteeism. This result was consistent when adjusted for age, sex and company (B, −0.010; P < 0.05), but became non-significant when additionally adjusted for psychological distress (B, −0.006). When analysed separately, only an improvement in the body mass index (B, −0.054; P < 0.05) and a worsened sleep habit (B, 0.040; P < 0.01) influenced a change in presenteeism. Conclusions This study suggests that improving various practised lifestyle habits in combination, rather than improving a single lifestyle habit, is beneficial in reducing presenteeism. Our finding that psychological distress altered the relationship of practised lifestyle habit changes with presenteeism indicates the importance of organizational-level intervention in presenteeism. Lifestyle habits are modified by combining various behaviours to reduce mortality and morbidity. Modifying a single lifestyle habit of physical activity, diet, smoking or alcohol drinking has a good effect on reducing presenteeism. However, there is no evidence of the effect on presenteeism of combining these lifestyle habits. This study aimed to observe the effects of these factors in combination, including psychological distress as an important confounder of presenteeism.