According to a new study, those who work more than 55 hours a week develop a greater risk of acquiring type-2 diabetes as opposed to workers who only spend 34 to 40 hours of work a week.

Researchers at the University College London have analyzed and reviewed data from published studies and unpublished individual information up to April 30 this year where they consolidated these data to further study the effects of how working long hours can lead to diabetes. 

Like Us on Facebook

These results also revealed those workers who spend 55 hours or more working are also those with low socioeconomic status jobs. These workers gain a 30 percent chance of developing diabetes when compared to their counterparts who work 35 to 40 hours a week. 

In addition, the study also considered other risk factors regarding their lifestyle that include health-related behavior such as smoking and physical activity, and also age, sex and obesity tendencies.

Even excluding working shifts or overtime, the results still yield a strong tendency to develop diabetes and obesity for these workers.

According to Mika Kivimaki, co-author of the study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, this study allowed them to pinpoint important risk factors and investigate further the link between extended working hours and diabetes.

Kivimaki assures that this study does not demonstrate that increased diabetes risk is applicable to everyone who works long hours. But health professionals should be wary and warn their patients about an increased risk especially those who with low socioeconomic status jobs.

For those who are already diabetic and working 55 hours a week, eating regular meals during the day can greatly help as eating every four to five hours can balance blood sugar. Eating a variety of food with less fat, less sugar and less salt is also strongly advised, as well as avoiding fried food and red meat at any cost.

Lastly, eating food rich in fiber and whole grain bread and cereals is also ideal while monitoring blood sugar levels with a blood glucose meter two to four times everyday.

TagsWorking 55 Hours A Week Increases Type-2 Diabetes Risk, diabetes workhalolic, diabetes type 2, diabetes risk workhalics