Shift work and health behaviors: Cross-sectional analysis of sleep quality, physical activity, and dietary patterns
Keywords:
shift work schedule, sleep, physical activity, diet, health behavior, nutritional status, circadian rhythm, occupational health, cross-sectional studies, lifestyleAbstract
Background and aim: The health of shift workers is a global concern. As shift work negatively impacts an employee's capacity to continue engaging in "healthy living activities", it contributes to adverse health outcomes and disorders. The current study aimed to examine the differences in lifestyle behaviors among Jordanians doing shift work, specifically their sleep, physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and dietary habits.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire on Google Documents distributed through an electronic link sent personally or via social networks. The questionnaire collected data about demographic characteristics, sleep, physical activity, and dietary habits.
Results: A total of 872 participants were included in the study. Comparisons between the participants based on their working patterns revealed that night shifts were associated with longer sleep duration. In contrast, alternating shifts were associated with more sleep latency, daytime dysfunction, and the use of sleeping medication. Regarding physical activity, alternating shifts contributed to increased weekly walking MET minutes, day shifts contributed to inactivity, and night shifts resulted in sufficient activity levels. Shift work also affected dietary consumption and weight, whereby the day shift contributed to increased vegetable intake, while the night shift contributed to higher caffeine and fast-food consumption. Night-shift workers were more likely to be obese, while alternating-shift workers were more likely to be underweight.
Conclusions: Different work shifts alter people’s daily routines, leading many to adopt unhealthy lifestyles and behavior.
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