Eating and shift work – effects on habits, metabolism and performance

Abstract

Compared to individuals who work during the day, shift workers are at higher risk of a range of metabolic disorders and diseases (eg, obesity, cardiovascular disease, peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, failure to control blood sugar levels, and metabolic syndrome). At least some of these complaints may be linked to the quality of the diet and irregular timing of eating, however other factors that affect metabolism are likely to play a part, including psychosocial stress, disrupted circadian rhythms, sleep debt, physical inactivity, and insufficient time for rest and revitalization. In this overview, we examine studies on food and nutrition among shift workers [ie, dietary assessment (designs, methods, variables) and the factors that might influence eating habits and metabolic parameters]. The discussion focuses on the quality of existing dietary assessment data, nutritional status parameters (particularly in obesity), the effect of circadian disruptions, and the possible implications for performance at work. We conclude with some dietary guidelines as a basis for managing the nutrition of shift workers.

When Does Stress End? Evidence of a Prolonged Stress Reaction in Shiftworking Truck Drivers

“…This finding is in line with a previous study showing shiftwork to be associated with higher triglycerides, lower HDL, and central obesity compared to day workers (Karlsson et al, 2003). Possible reasons for this finding in the irregular workers might be elevated psychosocial stress, disrupted circadian rhythms, sleep deprivation, a lower quality and/or irregular timing of the diet, physical inactivity, and insufficient time for rest and revitalization (Lowden et al, 2010;Scheer et al, 2009). It is also important to highlight that the irregular shiftwork group was more negatively affected by environmental conditions, since they reported being more disturbed by truck vibration than the day workers.…”

Meal irregularity and cardiometabolic consequences: results from observational and intervention studies

“…It is quite possible that this is related to changes in dietary patterns. A discussion paper by Lowden et al in 2010 on eating and shift work, effects on habits, metabolism and performance showed that at least some of the increased disease risk of shift workers may be linked to diet and the irregular timing of eating (22) . Their review comprised twentythree studies, and dietary intake information included data on meal frequency, meal times and total energy intake and the dietary intake data were assessed using different methods, including FFQ and 24 h recalls.…”

“…Thus, compared with individuals who work solely during the day, shift workers, whose working routine leads to chrono-disruption, are at a higher risk of developing a range of metabolic diseases (22) . It is quite possible that this is related to changes in dietary patterns.…”

A comparison of abdominal and visceral fat, energy intakes and perceived stress between shift and non-shift workers

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Shift work has been linked with adverse health and unhealthy behaviours including obesity (1) , cardiovascular disease (2,3) , increased snacking (1) , fatigue, sleep and digestive problems, depression, anxiety, disruptions in circadian rhythm and perceived stress (4) . The present workplace study is part of the NeuroFAST project, which examines the link between stress and eating behaviour in shift and non-shift workers.

Body composition measurements were made using the Tanita AB 140 abdominal fat analyser to assess abdominal and visceral fat in 83 male and 222 female non-shift workers with a mean (SEM) age of 42·4 (0·70) years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 25·6 (0·28) kg/m 2 and 93 male and 24 female shift workers with a mean age of 38·7 (0·72) years and mean BMI of 26·8 (0·32) kg/m 2 .

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“…Shift work has been linked with adverse health and unhealthy behaviours including obesity (1) , cardiovascular disease (2,3) , increased snacking (1) , fatigue, sleep and digestive problems, depression, anxiety, disruptions in circadian rhythm and perceived stress (4) . The present workplace study is part of the NeuroFAST project, which examines the link between stress and eating behaviour in shift and non-shift workers.…”