Characteristics of Employees with Lower Health Interest in a Japanese IT Company: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Breslow’s Health Practice Index

Objectives: This study examined the characteristics of employees with low health interest using Breslow’s Health Practice Index (HPI). Methods: A cross-sectional study of 2,260 employees of a Japanese IT company was conducted in 2023. The association between the Health Interest Scale (HIS; range 0–36) and HPI (range 0–7), a predictor of healthy longevity, was examined using multiple linear and logistic regression. Additional analyses were conducted using median-split HIS groups (low: 0–23; high: 24–36). Results: HIS was significantly lower among men, younger, unmarried individuals, and those without an appropriate body weight, while positively associated with HPI. (β = 0.254, p < 0.001). HPI was significantly higher among less sedentary workers (β =0.07, p < 0.001), non-management staff (β = 0.04, p < 0.05), and married individuals (β = 0.06, p < 0.05). HIS was associated with six of seven health behaviors except Not Snacking. After adjustment for HIS, women had higher odds of Not smoking (OR = 5.52, CI: 2.96–10.3, p < 0.001) and Moderate use of alcohol (OR = 2.03, CI: 1.33–3.09, p < 0.05). Median-split analysis confirmed these results. Conclusions: Interventions are needed to increase health interest among younger individuals, men, and those who are unmarried or without an appropriate body weight. Sedentary workers, managerial staff, and unmarried individuals showed lower adherence to HPI after adjustment for health interest, indicating the need for focused workplace interventions. Health interest was positively associated with HPI, but no significant association was found for snacking, which requires further investigation.