Number of Good Lifestyle Habits Affects Higher Work Engagement Over the Next Year: A Retrospective Cohort Study

J Occup Environ Med. 2025 Nov 1;67(11):911-915. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003467. Epub 2025 May 28.

Abstract

Objectives: We determined the relationship between the number and content of good lifestyle habits and work engagement.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study used a database from health check-ups and a self-administered questionnaire among 5,011 workers. Lifestyle habits were measured using Breslow's seven health practices. We set the outcome as work engagement measured by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. We performed multiple regression analysis adjusted for covariates.

Results: The more good lifestyle habits practiced, the higher the work engagement after 1 year. Regarding each lifestyle habit, compared to those who had no lifestyle habit of physical activity, those who had a good lifestyle habit of physical activity had significantly higher work engagement after 1 year.

Conclusions: Organizations are encouraged to support employees in developing good lifestyle habits to increase work engagement.

Keywords: exercise; lifestyle habits; occupational health; physical activity; work engagement.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Habits*
  • Humans
  • Life Style*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Work Engagement*