Dietary Behaviour Is Associated with Cardiometabolic and Psychological Risk Indicators in Female Hospital Nurses—A Post-Hoc, Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Unfavourable dietary behaviours of female nurses, especially among shift-working nurses, including high snacking frequency, short fasting period and large day-to-day energy intake variability may be linked with adverse health. In this study we: (1) examined the relationship between dietary behaviour and cardiometabolic and psychological health in female nurses; and, (2) compared dietary behaviour, cardiometabolic and psychological health between shift-working and non-shift-working female nurses. A total of 73 nurses had their cardiometabolic health indicators evaluated and completed psychological health questionnaires; 55 completed a 3-day dietary log. Associations between dietary behaviour and health measures were examined using Spearman’s partial correlation analysis. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare dietary behaviour and health indicators between shift- and non-shift-working nurses. The majority of snacks consumed by nurses (70%) were unhealthy snacks (e.g., chocolate and chips), and higher snacking frequency was associated with greater percent body fat (r(50) = 0.287, p = 0.039), and worse mood-tension (r(48) = 0.327, p = 0.021) and anger-hostility (r(48) = 0.289, p = 0.042) scores. Day-to-day energy intake variability was positively associated with body mass index (BMI, r(50) = 0.356, p = 0.010) and waist circumference (r(50) = 0.283, p = 0.042). Shift-working nurses exhibited shorter fasting duration, larger day-to-day energy intake variability and higher total mood disturbance score when compared to their non-shift-working colleagues (all p < 0.05). The results of the present study suggested that addressing dietary behaviours may improve the cardiometabolic and psychological health of female nurses. Shift-working nurses may require a more specific dietary program to improve their psychological health.

The Effects of Shift Work on Cardio-Metabolic Diseases and Eating Patterns

“…In an observational study of healthcare workers, those on night shifts self-reported a longer eating duration than day workers (mean 14.2 h ± SD 3.8 h vs. 12.0 h ± 1.5 h, respectively, p = 0.02) [21]. The fasting period was therefore shorter for shift workers (11.8 h ± 2.0 h vs. 13.3 h ± 1.9 h in non-shift workers, p = 0.02) [22]. In a randomized crossover trial, food consumption was nearly around the clock during night shifts compared to day shifts [18].…”

“…By using a device recording the timestamp of hand movements to the mouth, Chen et al showed that night shift workers snacked more than day and rotating shift healthcare workers [19]. Similarly, in a cross-sectional study of Canadian nurses, Terada et al reported an increased consumption of snacks in quantity, frequency, and quality [22].…”

“…Studies have shown that shift work is associated with longer eating duration, i.e., the time interval between the first and the last consumption in a 24 h period [18,21,22]. In an observational study of healthcare workers, those on night shifts self-reported a longer eating duration than day workers (mean 14.2 h ± SD 3.8 h vs. 12.0 h ± 1.5 h, respectively, p = 0.02) [21].…”

“…Shift work also leads to irregular meals [22,68,69]. In their meta-analysis, Lowden et al reported that night shift workers tended to maintain the three meals a day structure, but with less regular patterns especially at night [68].…”

Association between Dietary Habits, Shift Work, and the Metabolic Syndrome: The Korea Nurses’ Health Study

“…Despite the insufficient evidence on the relationship between shift work and prevalence of MetS [ 31 ], sleep deprivation due to shift work appears to increase the risk of visceral obesity, a critical diagnostic criterion of MetS [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. In addition, shift-working nurses showed wider day-to-day caloric intake variability than non-shift-working nurses, and such eating behavior was related to an increase in waist circumference and body mass index [ 35 ]. Nurses working in shifts were reported to consume more high-calorie fast food and snacks than daytime workers [ 36 ], and such eating behavior may cause obesity and ultimately increase MetS risk.…”