Incidence and factors associated with overweight and obesity, and hypertensive disorder, among staff in a private healthcare setting: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence and factors associated with overweight and obesity, and hypertensive disorder, among staff in a private healthcare setting. MATERIAL AND METHOD The present retrospective cohort study examined the computerized data of Bumrungrad International (BI) Hospital staff that had undergone pre-employment and annual/bi-annual check-ups, between January 2000 and June 2006. RESULTS Data for the 3,678 staff surveyed comprised 7,338 visits, with a median follow-up time of 1.9 years; 81.9% were females, and the mean age (SD) was 27.1 (6.8) years. On their first visit, 8.5% could be classified as overweight or obese (Body Mass Index-[BMI] of 25.0+ kg/m2). The overall incidence of these conditions was 22.2/1,000 person-years (95%; Confidence Interval [CI] = 18.8-26.1). Cox's regression analysis revealed that incidence increased with age (Relative Hazard [RH] = 4.4 for age 20-44 years [95% -CI 1.6-12.2], and RH = 8.2 [95% CI 2.4-27.5] for age > or = 45 years, reference: < 20 years), but decreased among the registered nurses and ancillary professional staff (RH = 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.6). At cohort entry, 41.0% could be classified as pre-hypertensive (blood pressure 120-139/> 80-89 mmHg) and 1.9% as stages I and II hypertension. The overall incidence of hypertensive disorder was 16.9/1,000 person-years (95%; CI 13.6-20.9). Baseline pre-hypertensive (RH 4.9, 95%; CI 2.6-9.3), males (RH 1.7, 95%; CI 1.1-2. 7), age > or = 45 years (RH3.2, 95%; CI 1.0-10.5), and BMI (RH ranges 3.3-6 4) were identified as independent risk factors for incident hypertension. In addition, 2.5% were HBsAg-positive, and 33.3% had HBsAb antibody CONCLUSION The present retrospective cohort study was instituted in a private healthcare setting, information generated resulted in changes to the health-promotion programs of the organization.