Page 87 - Petelin, Ana. 2024. Ed. Zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih | Health of the Working-Age and Older Adults. Zbornik prispevkov z recenzijo | Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press

https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-397-5.87-95

The Influence of Night Work
on the Eating Habits of Workers

Helena Olenik, Damir Hećimović 2
1
1 Triglav zavarovalnica, Ljubljana, Slovenia
2 Ortopedska bolnišnica Valdoltra, Ankaran, Slovenia

Abstract

Introduction: Certain professions require constant readiness and shift
work, so night shifts are inevitable and necessary. Such work is often very
stressful and requires a great deal of concentration from the employees.
Performing night work causes employees to change day to night, which
leads to many changes in the body and can worsen the quality and
standard of life. Working at night can increase the risk of many health
problems and conditions due to a changed sleep rhythm and a changed
diet. Methods: In the article, we were interested in the connection
between performing night work and workers‘ nutrition during the
night shift. For searching, we used the PubMed database using the
keywords „ eating at work at night“, „ nutrition at the workplace“, and
„ night work nutrition“ for scientific literature published in the period
from 2018 to 2023. As search criteria, we considered accessibility of
the full text of the article and searching for articles in English. Results:
With proper nutrition and adequate nutrition at the workplace, we
can influence productivity, reduce fatigue, and improve concentration
at the workplace, enabling us to perform tasks more successfully and
with high quality. The active working population is a group at risk in
terms of eating habits at the workplace. In the research, we found that
workers who work in shifts, especially night shifts have a disordered
eating rhythm, low intake of fruits and vegetables, high-energy intake
of inadequate nutrients, and too high a proportion of sugar and salt
in the diet. Research articles also describe hormonal disturbances,
increased subjective hunger, stomach problems, and increased sleepiness
in shift workers. It turns out that it would be very good to introduce and
adopt new healthy eating habits in the work environment. Discussion
and conclusions: Fulfillment of conditions such as a balanced diet,
sufficient amount of sleep, concern about mental state, and sufficient
amount of physical activity are some of the key factors in ensuring good