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1 – 4 of 4S.L. Reeves, E. Newling‐Ward and C. Gissane
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of shift work on food intake and eating patterns in order to assess the impact of this on health. A total of 36 shift workers…
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of shift work on food intake and eating patterns in order to assess the impact of this on health. A total of 36 shift workers were measured anthropometrically and were asked to complete food diaries for six consecutive days, and a lifestyle questionnaire. The results revealed night workers did not eat more than day workers, but ate smaller meals and snacks over a greater time frame. Night‐shift workers revealed significant differences (p< 0.05) in food intake patterns on work and rest days, while day workers did not. Because shift work is a factor in the timing of food consumption, and typically there is a lack of good food facilities at night, it is suggested that this has the potential to cause difficulties in the establishment of healthy eating patterns. Employers may wish to review the food and dining facilities available for night staff to maximize healthy eating options.
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Jesmond Seychell and Sue Reeves
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effect of shift work on diet and lifestyle in nurses working in the accident and emergency department in a general hospital in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effect of shift work on diet and lifestyle in nurses working in the accident and emergency department in a general hospital in Malta.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was a cross-sectional, quantitative survey, whereby data were collected by the use of anonymous questionnaires consisting of a demographic and anthropometric questionnaire, a lifestyle questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intakes. In total, 110 nurses completed the study and were divided into three groups: day nurses, rotating-shift nurses and night-shift nurses.
Findings
Shift working nurses consumed significantly more energy compared to day nurses (night-shift nurses 1,963 ± 506 kcal; rotating-shift nurses 2,065 ± 655 kcal; day nurses 1,722 ± 486 kcal; p = 0.04). Shift working nurses also consumed more protein (p = 0.04), fat (p = 0.047) and fibre (p = 0.005) compared to day nurses; however, day nurses were the most likely to smoke (p = 0.009).
Practical implications
Shift work does influence the diet of nurses in Malta. It is recommended that access to healthy food, and time and facilities for physical activity are made available across all working hours and that nurses aim to exercise regularly, eat healthily, quit smoking if necessary and get good-quality sleep where possible.
Originality/value
In total, 22 per cent of workers in Malta work shifts, and Malta currently has one of the highest rates of obesity in Europe. This study considers the impact of shift work on diet.
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Hamidreza Roohafza, Awat Feizi, Shahnaz Amani Tirani, Masoumeh Sadeghi and Nizal Sarrafzadegan
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of empirically derived dietary patterns with hypertension and hyperlipidemia among a large sample of Iranian industrial…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of empirically derived dietary patterns with hypertension and hyperlipidemia among a large sample of Iranian industrial employees.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study was done under the framework of Epidemiological Survey of Chronic Diseases on Manufacturing Employees. Major dietary patterns were derived based on a validated short form of food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) using exploratory factor analysis. Self-administered validated questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-demographic and job-related variables of participants. Multivariable logistic regression was applied for association analyses.
Findings
Higher levels of Western dietary pattern increased significantly the risk of hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85, 95% CI [1.36-2.53], P trend <0.001) and hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.45, 95% CI [1.16-1.81], p = 0.001) even after controlling for confounding variables. The traditional dietary pattern was marginally associated with a significant increase in risk of hyperlipidemia ( = 1.14, 95% CI [0.92-1.41], p = 0.084) in the fully adjusted model. However, higher levels of healthy dietary pattern were significantly associated with a decreased risk of hyperlipidemia in the final model (OR 0.80, 95% CI [0.64-0.90], p = 0.025).
Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, an association analysis between dietary patterns and major cardiovascular disease risk in workforce population over the world is scarce and has not yet been conducted among Iranian industrial employees. This study’s findings are especially relevant for the industrial workforce population because they are at high risk of other job-related risks that increase the CVD risk.
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Vathsala Wickramasinghe and Chandana De Silva
The purpose of this paper is to explore information technology (IT) professionals' perception towards shift‐based work pattern used by globally distributed software development…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore information technology (IT) professionals' perception towards shift‐based work pattern used by globally distributed software development (GDSD) firms in Sri Lanka, in terms of the effects of shift work on them and strategies they used to cope with shift work.
Design/methodology/approach
A self‐administered survey questionnaire was chosen as the mode for data collection. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were used for data analysis.
Findings
The findings led to identifying the characteristics of shift work environment, benefits and drawbacks of shift work for IT professionals, strategies used by IT professionals to cope with shift work, and their overall evaluation of the shift work environment.
Research limitations/implications
The results of the questionnaire survey provided access to breadth of experience. If qualitative data had also been obtained they could have provided depth by adding insight and substance to the questionnaire survey.
Practical implications
The findings of the study suggest that shift work creates problems for IT professionals' health that call for improvements in the areas that are deleterious while retaining or enhancing those that are beneficial for the shift‐based workforce.
Social implications
The paper provides an understanding of the consequences of shift work for the rhythm of minds and bodies, families and social lives and the routines of rest of the community, and ways to cope with shift work may help the industry to flourish at large.
Originality/value
Minimal literature has been found specific to the cohort of IT professionals engaged full‐time in GDSD on shift basis with respect to their view of it and issues related to their employment arrangement. It is expected that the findings of this study will provide insight into benefits, challenges and issues associated with shift work to allow individuals and organizational leaders to better understand and utilize shift‐based work pattern in GDSD. Further, it is expected that the findings of this study will be a source of general guidance in stimulating future research in this area.
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