Life quality in civil servants’ labor: the roles of nutrition and life quality

Abstract

Life Quality at Work (LQW) has been a concern among professionals in different areas of knowledge. Although scanty comments are made on LQW management in the public service, the issue is increasingly being discussed. Current research analyzes LQW from the perspective of the civil servants’ assessment within the context of two work environments: their job and the specific activities that the University develops that may affect their well-being at work. It aims at investigating LQW determinants of civil servants working at the São Paulo University (USP), São Paulo SP Brazil. Several factors that may affect LQW were analyzed and a model was estimated so that the relationship between variables could be studied by binary logistic regression. Sample consisted of a relatively young population, predominantly females, highly educated, featuring a high incidence of overweight and obesity and, as a rule, satisfied with LQW. Initial hypotheses focused on the negative effects of overweight on LQW and the impact of LQ on LQW. Whereas the first hypothesis was confirmed regardless of LQW measurement, LQ had an important role merely on LQW rate with regard to the specific occupation. Results show that nutritional care is a key action to improve not only the employees’ welfare but also the productivity level within the institution.