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Shift workers have a similar diet quality but higher energy intake than day workers.
This 2016 study compared the diet quality and quantity of day workers with night workers. Using the general population data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Netherlands (EPIC-NL) cohort, the researchers calculated energy intake and diet quality. Dietary consumption was recorded in 1993-1997 using food frequency questionnaires. All the participants were aged between 20-70 years, 683 were shift workers, and 7173 were day workers. The results demonstrated that shift workers took in more energy than day workers. Shift workers also ate higher amounts of grain, dairy products, fish and meats. The largest difference in energy intake was found among shift workers with 5 or more night shifts every month. These regular night shift employees consumed 103 daily kilocalories more than day workers. In summary, shift workers had higher energy intake levels than day workers, particularly those who have more frequent night shifts. But the diets of day and night workers were similar in quality. The higher energy intake among shift workers may contribute to shift work-induced adverse health outcomes. [NPID: shift workers, day workers, diet quality, health, energy consumption, night shifts, nutrition, chrononutrition, energy intake timing]
Year: 2016
