Prevalence of insulin resistance in Chinese solar greenhouse and field workers: evidence from a solar greenhouse and field workers study

Abstract

Evidence suggests that agricultural workers are at higher risk of insulin resistance (IR), but few studies have investigated IR in solar greenhouse workers, who are exposed to higher concentrations of agricultural risk factors than traditional agricultural workers. A prevalence study was conducted in a greenhouse vegetable farm in China. In total, 948 participants were enrolled in this study. Among them, 721 participants were allocated to the greenhouse worker group (G group), and 227 participants were assigned to the field worker group (F group). The TyG index, which is an indicator to evaluate prediabetes (IR), was calculated by the formula: TyG index = ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL)/2]. To evaluate the associations of TyG index alternation with solar greenhouse and field work, multiple linear regression (MLR) and logistic regression models were performed. The TyG index in the G group (8.53 ± 0.56) was higher than that in the F group (8.44 ± 0.59) (p < 0.05). Solar greenhouse work was positively associated with an increased TyG index in both the multiple linear regression model [β = 0.207, (0.006, 0.408)] and the logistic regression model [OR = 1.469, (1.070, 2.016)]. IR was associated with the solar greenhouse work. However, the determination of agricultural hazard factors needs to be further strengthened to improve exposure assessment. Graphical Abstract.

Keywords: agriculture; field workers; insulin resistance; occupational epidemiology; prediabetes; solar greenhouse workers; triglyceride-glucose index.

Graphical Abstract

Figure 1

Column diagram and stacked bar chart of TG, FBS, TyG index, and TyG index category between greenhouse worker and field worker groups. (A) Column diagram of TG levels between the two groups. (B) Column diagram of FBS levels between the two groups. (C) Column diagram of TyG index levels between the two groups. (D) Stacked bar chart of TyG index category. ^*p < 0.05. TyG index, triglyceride-glucose index; FBS, fasting blood glucose; TG; triglyceride.

Figure 2

Results of the univariate MLR analysis of the TyG index. Variables of groups (G group and F group), gender, age, BMI, smoking status, and alcohol consumption status were adjusted in the analysis.

Figure 3

Results of the multivariate MLR analysis of the TyG index. Variables of groups (G group and F group), gender, age, BMI, smoking status, and alcohol consumption status were adjusted in the analysis.

Figure 4

Risk factors for elevated TyG index levels using logistic regression analysis. Variables of groups (G group and F group), gender, age, BMI, smoking status, and alcohol consumption status were adjusted in the analysis.

Figure 5

Subgroup analysis of the effect of greenhouse work on TyG index. TyG index, triglyceride-glucose index; VIFs, variance inflation factors. Variables of groups (G group and F group), gender, age, BMI, smoking status, and alcohol consumption status were adjusted in the analysis.