Cited by 492Sleep and Work-Related FatigueCircadian rhythm and melatoninNutrition, Health and Food Behavior

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

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Lowden, Arne, Moreno, Claudia, Holmbäck, Ulf, Lennernäs, Maria, Tucker, Philip·2010·Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health

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.

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  • Shift work is a risk factor for diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

    “Shift work is a risk factor for diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease (63)(64)(65)(66).”
  • With ageing comes a decline in the ability to regulate food intake, e.g. less able to compensate for higher energy intake, due to altered hormonal signals such as cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide 1 and peptide YY and impaired senses of taste and smell.

    “With ageing comes a decline in the ability to regulate food intake, e.g. less able to compensate for higher energy intake, due to altered hormonal signals such as cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide 1 and peptide YY cholecystokinin, glucagonlike peptide 1, and peptide YY and impaired senses taste and smell (60) , which may explain some these differences observed in children and adults.”

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3 of the 90 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 12

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Authors
Lowden, A., Moreno, C., Holmbäck, U., Lennernäs, M., & Tucker, P.
Affiliations
Uppsala University (SE)
Venue
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
Published
2010-02-09
Volume
36
Issue
2
Pages
150-162
ISSN
  • 0355-3140 (ISSN-L)
  • 1795-990X
OpenAlex
W2064537701
Cited by
492
References
90
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 43 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 17
FWCI
23.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
Keywords
shift work, dietary habits, circadian rhythm disruption, metabolic disorders, obesity, nutritional status, dietary assessment, employee performance, sleep debt, psychosocial stress, physical inactivity, dietary guidelines
MeSH terms
Feeding Behavior, Humans, Metabolic Diseases, Review Literature as Topic, Sleep Deprivation, Work Schedule Tolerance, Nutrition Assessment

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