Leslie Israel

Publications of Leslie Israel

• Sedentary work, low physical job demand, and obesity in US workers.

  Authors: BongKyoo Choi, Peter L Schnall, Haiou Yang, Marnie Dobson, Paul Landsbergis, Leslie Israel, Robert Karasek, Dean Baker

  American journal of industrial medicine. 11/2010; 53(11):1088-101.

  Little is known about the role of low physical activity at work (sedentary work or low physical job demand) in the increasing prevalence of obesity of US workers. This cross-sectional and secondaryLittle is known about the role of low physical activity at work (sedentary work or low physical job demand) in the increasing prevalence of obesity of US workers. This cross-sectional and secondary data analysis included 1,001 male and 1,018 female workers (age range: 32-69) from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) II study (2004-2006). Sedentary work and physical job demand were measured by questionnaire items. Total obesity (based on body mass index) and central obesity (based on waist circumference) were defined using WHO criteria. After controlling for covariates (socio-demographic, psychosocial working conditions, health status, and health behaviors), sedentary work, low physical job demand, or their combination increased the risk for total and central obesity in male workers, particularly when they worked longer than 40 hr per week. Sedentary work marginally increased the risk for total and central obesity in female workers. Low physical activity at work is a significant risk factor for total and central obesity in middle-aged US male workers.

• Psychosocial working conditions and active leisure-time physical activity in middle-aged us workers.

  Authors: Bongkyoo Choi, Peter L Schnall, Haiou Yang, Marnie Dobson, Paul Landsbergis, Leslie Israel, Robert Karasek, Dean Baker

  International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health. 10/2010; 23(3):239-53.

  This study was to examine whether psychosocial work characteristics such as job control, psychological job demands, and their combinations are associated with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) inThis study was to examine whether psychosocial work characteristics such as job control, psychological job demands, and their combinations are associated with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in US workers. 2019 workers (age range: 32 to 69) from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) II study (2004-2006) were chosen for this cross-sectional study. Job control and job demands were measured by standard questionnaire items. Active LTPA was defined as "moderate or vigorous" level of physical activity. After controlling for covariates (e.g., age, race, education, income, physical effort at work, obesity, and alcohol consumption), high job control was associated with active LTPA. Active jobs (high control and low demands) and low-strain jobs (high control and high demands), compared to passive jobs (low control and low demands), increased the odds for active LTPA. The associations varied by sex and education level. Job demands alone were not associated with active LTPA. Having on-the-job learning opportunities and decision authority on their tasks may be conducive to active LTPA in middle-aged US workers.

• Evidence for excess colorectal cancer incidence among asbestos-exposed men in the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial.

  Authors: Oluremi A Aliyu, Mark R Cullen, Matt J Barnett, John R Balmes, Brenda Cartmel, Carrie A Redlich, Carl A Brodkin, Scott Barnhart, Linda Rosenstock, Leslie Israel, Gary E Goodman, Mark D Thornquist, Gilbert S Omenn

  American journal of epidemiology. 12/2005; 162(9):868-78.

  The relation between asbestos exposure and colorectal cancer remains controversial. The authors of this 1984-2004 US study examined the association among 3,897 occupationally exposed participants inThe relation between asbestos exposure and colorectal cancer remains controversial. The authors of this 1984-2004 US study examined the association among 3,897 occupationally exposed participants in the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET) for chemoprevention of lung cancer, followed prospectively for 10-18 years. When a Cox stratified proportional hazards model was used, risks of colorectal cancer were elevated among male heavy smokers exposed to asbestos. Their relative risk was 1.36 (95% confidence interval: 0.96, 1.93) when compared with that for CARET heavy smokers not exposed to asbestos, after adjusting for age, smoking history, and intervention arm. The presence of asbestos-induced pleural plaques at baseline was associated with a relative risk of 1.54 (95% confidence interval: 0.99, 2.40); colorectal cancer risk also increased with worsening pulmonary asbestosis (p = 0.03 for trend). A dose-response trend based on years of asbestos exposure was less evident. Nonetheless, these data suggest that colorectal cancer risk is elevated among men occupationally exposed to asbestos, especially those with evidence of nonmalignant asbestos-associated radiographic changes.

• Garment workers in California: health outcomes of the Asian Immigrant Women Workers Clinic.

  Authors: Barbara J Burgel, Nan Lashuay, Leslie Israel, Robert Harrison

  AAOHN journal : official journal of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. 12/2004; 52(11):465-75.

  In this cross sectional descriptive study, the demographics, risk factors, and health outcomes of a volunteer, symptomatic sample of monolingual Cantonese garment workers in the Oakland, CaliforniaIn this cross sectional descriptive study, the demographics, risk factors, and health outcomes of a volunteer, symptomatic sample of monolingual Cantonese garment workers in the Oakland, California Chinatown area are documented. Methods included a questionnaire and clinical examination and treatment at the Asian Immigrant Women Workers Clinic, a free clinic providing culturally focused occupational health consultation and treatment for painful musculoskeletal disorders. Because garment work involves highly repetitious, sustained awkward postures, focused education on stretching and ergonomics also was provided. Results from the first 100 clients revealed a highly symptomatic sample, with an average age of 48.7 years. Sixty-six percent rated their health status as fair or poor. Sixteen percent of the sample had nerve entrapments, and 99% had a diagnosed strain or sprain of the spine or upper extremities. This population did not file workers' compensation claims because of a lack of knowledge and a fear of reprisal. This study documented the barriers to seeking care for this low wage, immigrant population.