Relationships between job stress and caffeine intake in industrial workers / 한국영양학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the degree of job stress and caffeine intake in workers in industrial positions in order to determine the relationships between job stress and caffeine intake. METHODS: For this purpose, this study conducted a survey targeting 361 blue collar workers working for K manufacturing company, Gwangju. RESULTS: The total score for job stress in subjects was 72.7 ± 6.8 points/100 points. According to job stress, subjects were categorized as follows: Q1 for the group who had the least stress; Q2 for the group who had little stress; Q3 for the group who had a lot of stress, and Q4 for the group who had the most stress. As for the effects of caffeine on health, 57.1% thought that caffeine is helpful and not harmful if taken properly while 17.3% responded that less caffeine consumption is better. Daily intake of caffeine according to stress was presented as: 172.0 ± 85.3 mg in Q1, 179.0 ± 83.7 mg in Q2, 187.9 ± 81.4 mg in Q3, and 214.2 ± 147.3 mg in Q4 (p < 0.05). The percentages of caffeine consumption compared to the daily safe limit in subjects were: 43.0 ± 21.3, 44.8 ± 20.9, 47.1 ± 20.4, and 53.6 ± 36.8% in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively (p < 0.05). Adverse effects such as nausea or vomiting from caffeine were most common in Q4 (p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: As a result, higher stress in blue collar workers working for K manufacturing company was associated with more caffeine consumption. Groups with a lot of stress (Q4) consumed approximately 50% of daily safe limit of caffeine. Considering the results above, this study suggests that further research on more precise caffeine intake and its effects is needed.