Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
26 September 2014 10:29
People in long-hour, low-paid jobs could be at increased risk of developing diabetes, experts have said
Researchers have identified a link between long working hours in a poorly paid job and an increased risk of developing diabetes.
The findings come from scientists at University College London who looked at data from more than 222,000 men and women involved in diabetes studies in the US, Europe, Japan and Australia.
They found that people with " low socio-economic status jobs" who put in more than 55 hours a week increased their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 30% - this was in comparison to those who worked a 35 to 40-hour week.
Such results remained the same even when factors like smoking, physical activity, age, gender and obesity were taken into account, as well as the impact of shift work, which is often linked to an increased obesity and diabetes risk.
Such conclusions perhaps reinforce the importance for overtired workers to take a holiday. But anyone travelling with a condition such as diabetes is reminded to consider pre-existing medical travel insurance.
Lead scientist Professor Mika Kivimaki said pooling the data together from the four areas allowed the link between working hours and diabetes risk to be analysed "with greater precision" than ever before.
He points out that while long hours are unlikely to raise diabetes risk in everyone, medics should take into consideration how the risk is "significantly increased" in people doing low-paid jobs.
Meanwhile, M aureen Talbot, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, which co-funded the research, reinforced the message that the increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes was linked to those deemed to be in low socio-economic groups.
She said reducing the risk of diabetes is "essential" to patients who are consequently at a greater risk of heart attack or stroke.
The findings, of which the authors say further research is needed, are reported in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
15 January 2019
NHS commissioners could be slapped with a £2,500 fine for every patient left waiting more than a year for vital care, new proposals suggest.
[more...]
12 January 2019
All UK airports should buy anti-drone technology and not rely on the Royal Air Force to help out, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has said.
10 January 2019
The military was brought in on Tuesday night after police officers saw a drone operating at Heathrow Airport, forcing departures to be suspended for an hour.
11 January 2019
A so-called "drug sponge" that mops up leftover drugs from cancer treatment could improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy, new research has claimed.
09 January 2019
A hormone released during exercise could help protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests.
08 January 2019
Ryanair has been labelled the worst airline operating in the UK for the sixth year running in a leading consumer group survey.
05 January 2019
Anti-drone technology will be deployed at the UK's two busiest airports in response to the disruption caused before Christmas.
04 January 2019
A new cancer-detecting breathalyser test is being trialled in the UK - in a move that could revolutionise the way the disease is diagnosed.
03 January 2019
The average 10-year-old child will have already eaten more sugar in their life than the maximum amount recommended for 18-year-olds, a new study reveals.
01 January 2019
The number of travellers satisfied with flying has fallen over the last two years over frustration with how airlines handle complaints, new research reveals.
25 December 2018
People are being encouraged to connect with friends, neighbours and others in their community this Christmas to help tackle loneliness.
29 December 2018
Nearly 300 travellers have been arrested over the past two years for being drunk at an airport or on a plane.