Researchers studied over 56,000 Spanish workers to understand why some people have unhealthy cholesterol patterns that increase heart disease risk. They found that workers in factories and manufacturing had worse cholesterol profiles than those in retail and commerce jobs. The study also discovered that not exercising, smoking, eating poorly, and having less education were strongly linked to unhealthy cholesterol levels. These findings suggest that workplace environment and lifestyle choices play important roles in heart health, and that workers—especially in industrial jobs—might benefit from programs that encourage exercise, healthy eating, and smoking cessation.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Why do some workers have unhealthy cholesterol patterns that increase their risk of heart disease, and does the type of job they do matter?
  • Who participated: 56,856 Spanish workers—about 39,400 men and 17,400 women—who worked in either retail/commerce stores or factories/manufacturing plants. The study looked at workers of different ages, education levels, and with different exercise and eating habits.
  • Key finding: Factory and manufacturing workers had significantly worse cholesterol patterns than retail workers. Workers who didn’t exercise had 3 to 11 times higher risk of unhealthy cholesterol levels compared to those who were active. Men, older workers, smokers, and those who didn’t follow a Mediterranean diet also had worse cholesterol profiles.
  • What it means for you: If you work in manufacturing or have a sedentary job, paying attention to exercise, diet, and avoiding smoking may be especially important for your heart health. These are changes you can control, even if your job type is fixed. Talk to your doctor about your cholesterol levels and heart disease risk.

The Research Details

This study looked at information collected from 56,856 Spanish workers at one point in time (like taking a snapshot rather than following people over years). Researchers gathered information about workers’ jobs, age, sex, education level, how much they exercised, what they ate, and whether they smoked. They then measured cholesterol levels and calculated special ratios that doctors use to predict heart disease risk. The researchers compared these measurements between workers in different industries and with different lifestyles to see which factors were most strongly connected to unhealthy cholesterol patterns.

The study measured four different ways to assess heart disease risk using cholesterol numbers: total cholesterol divided by ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL), ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL) divided by ‘good’ cholesterol, triglycerides divided by ‘good’ cholesterol, and a condition called atherogenic dyslipidemia (an unhealthy mix of blood fats). These ratios are important because they show the balance between harmful and protective cholesterol types, which is more meaningful than just looking at total cholesterol alone.

The researchers used statistical methods to determine which factors were most strongly associated with unhealthy cholesterol patterns, while accounting for other factors that might influence the results.

This research approach is important because it examines real workers in their actual jobs and lives, rather than studying people in controlled laboratory settings. By looking at a very large group of workers (over 56,000), the findings are more likely to apply to other workers. The study also looks at multiple factors together—job type, exercise, diet, smoking, education—which helps identify which changes might have the biggest impact on heart health.

This is a large, well-designed study with a substantial number of participants, which makes the findings more reliable. However, because it’s a snapshot in time rather than following workers over years, we can’t be completely certain about cause-and-effect relationships. The study was conducted in Spain, so results may differ slightly in other countries with different populations or working conditions. The researchers used standard methods for measuring cholesterol and calculating risk ratios, which strengthens the reliability of the findings.

What the Results Show

Factory and manufacturing workers had consistently worse cholesterol patterns than retail and commerce workers across all four measures of heart disease risk. For example, factory workers were 23% more likely to have an unhealthy total cholesterol-to-good-cholesterol ratio, 15% more likely to have an unhealthy bad-cholesterol-to-good-cholesterol ratio, and 19% more likely to have atherogenic dyslipidemia (an unhealthy mix of blood fats).

The most striking finding was about physical activity: workers who didn’t exercise had 3 to 11 times higher odds of unhealthy cholesterol patterns compared to those who exercised regularly. This was the strongest connection found in the entire study. Male workers had worse cholesterol patterns than female workers, and older workers had worse patterns than younger workers.

Other lifestyle factors also mattered significantly. Workers who didn’t follow a Mediterranean-style diet (rich in vegetables, fruits, fish, and olive oil) had worse cholesterol patterns. Smokers had worse patterns than non-smokers. Workers with less education also tended to have worse cholesterol profiles, which might reflect differences in health knowledge or access to healthy foods.

When researchers looked at all these factors together, physical inactivity remained the strongest predictor of unhealthy cholesterol, followed by smoking, poor diet, and lower education level.

The study found that the combination of multiple risk factors was particularly harmful. Workers who had several problems at once—for example, being inactive, smoking, eating poorly, and working in a factory—had much worse cholesterol patterns than those with just one or two risk factors. Age also played an important role: the negative effects of inactivity and poor diet were even more pronounced in older workers. The study also noted that men in industrial jobs were at particularly high risk, with worse cholesterol patterns than women in the same jobs.

These findings align with previous research showing that physical activity is one of the most important factors for heart health. The study confirms what other research has shown about smoking and diet affecting cholesterol. However, this is one of the first large studies to specifically examine how occupational sector (factory vs. retail work) affects cholesterol patterns in a large working population. The strong connection between lack of exercise and poor cholesterol profiles is consistent with what doctors have long recommended about the importance of regular physical activity.

This study has several important limitations. First, it only shows associations at one point in time, so we can’t prove that factory work causes worse cholesterol or that inactivity causes bad cholesterol—only that they’re connected. Second, the study was conducted in Spain, so results might be different in other countries with different populations, working conditions, or healthcare systems. Third, the study relied on workers reporting their own lifestyle habits (exercise, diet, smoking), which might not be completely accurate. Fourth, the study didn’t measure some other factors that might affect cholesterol, such as stress levels, sleep quality, or family history of heart disease. Finally, the study couldn’t explain why factory workers had worse cholesterol—it might be due to different working conditions, stress levels, or other factors not measured in this study.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, here are evidence-based recommendations: (1) Prioritize regular physical activity—this showed the strongest connection to better cholesterol levels. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Confidence: High. (2) If you smoke, quitting should be a priority for your heart health. Confidence: High. (3) Adopt a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and olive oil. Confidence: High. (4) If you work in a factory or have a sedentary job, be especially mindful of these lifestyle factors. Confidence: Moderate. (5) Get your cholesterol checked regularly, especially if you have multiple risk factors. Confidence: High.

These findings are most relevant to working adults, particularly those in manufacturing, factory, or other industrial jobs. Men and older workers should pay special attention, as they showed higher risk in this study. However, the lifestyle recommendations apply to everyone—exercise, not smoking, and healthy eating benefit everyone’s heart health. Workers with lower education levels might benefit from targeted health education programs. People who are currently inactive or who smoke should consider these findings as motivation to make changes.

Realistic expectations for seeing benefits: Cholesterol levels can begin to improve within 2-4 weeks of starting regular exercise and dietary changes, though more significant improvements typically take 2-3 months. Smoking cessation can improve cholesterol ratios within weeks to months. However, heart disease prevention is a long-term process, and these lifestyle changes should be maintained indefinitely for lasting benefits. Consult with your doctor about your personal timeline and goals.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly exercise minutes (aim for 150+ minutes of moderate activity), daily steps, and weekly servings of Mediterranean diet foods (vegetables, fruits, fish, olive oil). Log smoking status if applicable. Measure these weekly and review progress monthly.
  • Use the app to set a specific, achievable exercise goal for next week (e.g., ‘Walk 30 minutes, 5 days this week’). Create meal reminders for Mediterranean diet foods. If applicable, set a smoking reduction goal. Track completion daily to build momentum.
  • Create a dashboard showing: (1) Weekly exercise minutes with a 150-minute target, (2) Mediterranean diet adherence score, (3) Smoking status (if applicable), and (4) Monthly trends. Set reminders for cholesterol check-ups every 6-12 months. Compare your lifestyle metrics month-to-month to identify patterns and celebrate improvements.

This research describes associations between workplace factors, lifestyle choices, and cholesterol patterns, but does not prove cause-and-effect relationships. These findings should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your cholesterol levels or heart disease risk, please consult with your healthcare provider for personalized assessment and recommendations. This study was conducted in Spain and may not apply equally to all populations. Always discuss any significant lifestyle changes or health concerns with your doctor before making changes.