Bd. Scholz et al., ANEMIA IS ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED PRODUCTIVITY OF WOMEN WORKERS EVEN IN LESS-PHYSICALLY-STRENUOUS TASKS, British Journal of Nutrition, 77(1), 1997, pp. 47-57
While many studies show reduced work output in heavy labour with poor
nutritional status, data among less-physically-strenuous industrial oc
cupations is scarce. In the present study the output of ninety-two wom
en jute-factory workers over a 1-month period was measured together wi
th haemoglobin, BMI, arm muscle and fat area, physical work capacity (
maximum Oz consumption; V-O2max), as well as socio-economic, health an
d activity variables. A significant correlation was found between haem
oglobin and work output, which remained significant (P < 0.005) after
a multiple-regression analysis with other potentially confounding fact
ors. Anaemic workers and those with V-O2max values less than 1.5 l/min
were significantly less active at home than non-anaemic workers (P <
0.015). Anaemic women produced an average of 5.3 % less in the factory
and performed an average of 6.5 h less housework per week.