# Characteristics of employees with lower health interest in a Japanese IT company: a cross-sectional study using Breslow’s health practice index

## TL;DR

This study identifies workplace groups with low health interest in a Japanese IT company and suggests targeted interventions for these groups.

## Contribution

The study identifies unmarried individuals and those outside the appropriate weight range as new groups with low health interest, beyond previously known factors like age and gender.

## Key findings

- Health interest was lower among men, younger individuals, unmarried people, and those without appropriate body weight.
- Sedentary workers and managerial staff showed lower adherence to health practices even after adjusting for health interest.
- Women had higher odds of not smoking and moderate alcohol use compared to men after controlling for health interest.

## Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the characteristics of employees with low health interest using Breslow’s Health Practice Index (HPI).

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 2260 employees of a Japanese IT company was conducted in 2023. The association between the Health Interest Scale (HIS; range 0-36) and HPI (range 0-7), a predictor of healthy longevity, was examined using multiple linear and logistic regression. Additional analyses were conducted using median-split HIS groups (low: 0-23; high: 24-36).

Results: HIS was significantly lower among men, younger and unmarried individuals, and those without an appropriate body weight, but positively associated with HPI (β = .254, P < .001). HPI was significantly higher among less sedentary workers (β = .07, P < .001), non–management staff (β = .04, P < .05), and married individuals (β = .06, P < .05). HIS was associated with 6 of 7 health behaviors except Not snacking. After adjustment for HIS, women had higher odds of Not smoking (OR = 5.52; 95% CI, 2.96-10.3; P < .001) and Moderate use of alcohol (OR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.33-3.09; P < .05). Median-split analysis confirmed these results.

Conclusions: Interventions are needed to increase health interest among younger individuals, men, and those who are unmarried or without an appropriate body weight. Sedentary workers, managerial staff, and unmarried individuals showed lower adherence to HPI after adjustment for health interest, indicating the need for focused workplace interventions. Health interest was positively associated with HPI, but no significant association was found for snacking, which requires further investigation.

Key points:

What is already known on this topic: National policy promotes health practices among individuals with low health interest. Population-based studies of adults have shown associations between health interest and basic demographic factors such as age and gender. However, the characteristics of populations with low health interest remain insufficiently clarified. In working populations, long working hours and occupational demands limit adherence to health practices. These findings underscore the need to examine such populations in occupational settings.
What this study adds: Whereas previous studies have reported lower Health Interest Scale (HIS) scores among younger adults and men, this study additionally identified such lower scores in unmarried individuals and those outside the appropriate weight range. Even with adjustment for HIS, sedentary occupations and managerial positions were associated with lower adherence to Breslow’s Health Practice Index (HPI). Of the 7 health practices, only snacking showed no significant association with HIS. After controlling for HIS, women still had higher odds of not smoking and of practicing moderate alcohol use, underscoring sex-specific differences in health practices.
How this study might affect research, practice, or policy: Interventions should prioritize younger employees, men, unmarried individuals, and those without an appropriate body weight, who showed lower health interest. Sedentary and managerial employees demonstrated lower adherence to health practices independent of health interest, highlighting the need for workplace-targeted strategies. Marked sex differences, particularly in smoking and alcohol use, underscore the importance of designing gender-sensitive interventions.

What is already known on this topic: National policy promotes health practices among individuals with low health interest. Population-based studies of adults have shown associations between health interest and basic demographic factors such as age and gender. However, the characteristics of populations with low health interest remain insufficiently clarified. In working populations, long working hours and occupational demands limit adherence to health practices. These findings underscore the need to examine such populations in occupational settings.

What this study adds: Whereas previous studies have reported lower Health Interest Scale (HIS) scores among younger adults and men, this study additionally identified such lower scores in unmarried individuals and those outside the appropriate weight range. Even with adjustment for HIS, sedentary occupations and managerial positions were associated with lower adherence to Breslow’s Health Practice Index (HPI). Of the 7 health practices, only snacking showed no significant association with HIS. After controlling for HIS, women still had higher odds of not smoking and of practicing moderate alcohol use, underscoring sex-specific differences in health practices.

How this study might affect research, practice, or policy: Interventions should prioritize younger employees, men, unmarried individuals, and those without an appropriate body weight, who showed lower health interest. Sedentary and managerial employees demonstrated lower adherence to health practices independent of health interest, highlighting the need for workplace-targeted strategies. Marked sex differences, particularly in smoking and alcohol use, underscore the importance of designing gender-sensitive interventions.