Socioeconomic stratification in the association between tea consumption and skeletal muscle mass among oilfield workers

Objectives – Tea consumption is a culturally embedded behavior in China, but its association with skeletal muscle health remains unclear, particularly in occupational populations. This study examined the relationship between tea consumption and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) among oilfield workers and assessed whether socioeconomic status (SES) modifies this association. Methods – Multivariable linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between tea consumption and ASM. Smooth curve fitting analyses were conducted to visualize potential dose-response relationships. SES-stratified and interaction analyses were performed to examine effect modification. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to test the robustness of the findings. Results – In fully adjusted models, low- and high-level tea intake were associated with 0.105 and 0.137 unit increases in ASM in the overall population, respectively. SES-stratified analyses showed that only high-level tea intake was significant in the low SES group, whereas in the high SES group, both low- and high-level intake were positively associated with ASM. No significant associations were observed in the medium SES group. Smooth curve fitting further supported these SES-specific patterns observed in linear regression. Interaction analysis indicated that the association between low-level tea consumption and ASM was stronger among individuals with high SES (P for interaction = 0.031). Sensitivity analyses yielded consistent findings. Conclusion – Tea consumption is positively associated with skeletal muscle mass among oilfield workers, with the strength of this association varying across SES. These findings highlight the importance of considering social context when promoting dietary strategies to support muscle health in occupational populations.