Obesity, oxidative stress, and the moderating role of overcommitment: An exploratory analysis in female nurses

BackgroundObesity and job stress are established contributors to oxidative stress, which is associated with various adverse health outcomes. However, the moderating role of job stress in the relationship between obesity and oxidative stress remains inadequately understood.ObjectivesThis study explored whether job stress, specifically the extrinsic and intrinsic components of the Effort Reward Imbalance (ERI) model, moderates the relationship between obesity and oxidative stress among female nurses.MethodsWe conducted an exploratory analysis from a cross-sectional study involving female nurses at a tertiary hospital in Western India. The study assessed the prevalence of obesity and overweight based on the suggested criteria for the Asian Indian population. We examined correlations among obesity markers and oxidative stress markers and explored if there is a moderator role of job stress on the relationship between obesity and oxidative stress.ResultsThe combined prevalence of overweight and obesity in the study population was 74%. Significant positive correlations were found between age, obesity-related parameters (Body-mass Index, Percentage Body Fat, Waist-Hip Ratio), and oxidative stress markers (Protein carbonyl content and Glutathione S-Transferase). The relationship between obesity and oxidative stress markers was moderated by overcommitment. Nurses with marked overcommitment exhibited stronger associations between age, obesity, and oxidative stress markers compared to those without marked overcommitment.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that overcommitment moderates the relationship between obesity and oxidative stress, highlighting the need to address intrinsic as well as extrinsic work-related factors in interventions targeting obesity among nurses. Future studies should confirm these findings and explore mechanisms to develop targeted interventions.