The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on the Risk for Disability Pension in Overweight and Obese Employees: A Prospective Study (November 2025)-The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on the Risk for Disability Pension in Overweight and Obese Employees: A Prospective Study

The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on the Risk for Disability Pension in Overweight and Obese Employees: A Prospective Study

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This prospective study investigated the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the risk of disability pension (DP) among overweight and obese employees, considering age and gender differences. Using data from the Swedish WOLF cohort spanning 1992–2009, the study included 10,700 employees (approximately 70% men), assessing MetS based on International Diabetes Federation criteria, BMI categories, and eventual DP status obtained via national registry linkage.<br /><br />Key findings showed that both overweight and obese employees had increased risks of DP compared to normal-weight individuals without MetS. Among subjects with MetS, young overweight men had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.89 and young obese men 1.95 for DP, indicating significantly elevated risk. Young obese women with MetS showed a borderline increased risk (HR 2.26). The effect was more pronounced in younger employees (<50 years), while in older employees (≥50 years), the influence of MetS was less clear, especially among women, potentially reflecting menopausal effects on metabolic risk.<br /><br />MetS was present in 18.1% of the cohort, and diabetes was more common among those with MetS. The study adjusted for various sociodemographic, health behavior, and work-related factors. Findings highlight that MetS amplifies the risk of work disability and premature exit from the workforce, particularly in younger male employees with elevated BMI.<br /><br />Limitations include single-time-point baseline measurements without follow-up metabolic data, which may underestimate risk over time. Additionally, disability pension as an outcome is a complex proxy for work ability influenced by medical, social, and administrative factors, with no specific ICD diagnosis for MetS complicating recognition and research.<br /><br />In conclusion, early identification of MetS in overweight and obese young employees is crucial for targeted interventions to maintain work ability and prevent disability pension. This study underscores the importance of addressing metabolic health in occupational settings to sustain long-term employment capacity.

Keywords

metabolic syndrome

disability pension

overweight

obese

hazard ratio

Swedish WOLF cohort

age differences

gender differences

work disability

occupational health