Page 89 - 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

cessible full-text articles in English. Data collection occurred between January
and March 2024, resulting in a qualitative analysis of 9 articles.

Results
Studies conducted by Cunha et al., (2020) have demonstrated that non-shift
workers exhibit poorer glucose tolerance after evening meals, which can dis-
rupt the endogenous circadian cycle at night. Various factors, including sleep
restriction, reduced brain glucose utilization, and insulin resistance, may con-
tribute to abnormal glucose metabolism. The findings of the study suggest that
night-time food consumption may not be metabolically optimal. This is par-
ticularly pertinent for shift workers, as elevated triglyceride levels pose a sig-
nificant risk for ischemic heart disease. The study also noted heightened tri-
glyceride levels following the consumption of a high-fat meal at 5:00 and 6:00
am, indicating a potential link to increased triglyceride concentrations in the
bloodstream of shift workers. Furthermore, the type and frequency of meals 89
consumed by night workers appear to be more influenced by habit and time
availability than by appetite. Nonetheless, it is essential to establish better nu-
tritional choices by taking into account metabolic considerations, person-
al habits, and individual preferences. Quian et al., (2022) have indicated that
the timing of meals can significantly impact mood levels related to depression
and anxiety, particularly during simulated night work. A recent cross-section-
al study involving 502,494 individuals revealed that an unhealthy diet is associ-
ated with poorer sleep quality and overall mental well-being. Many individuals the influence of night work on the eating habits of workers
have reported consuming poor-quality diets characterized by high-carbohy-
drate meals.
A systematic review by authors Clark et al., (2023) incorporated studies on
total energy intake and dietary patterns associated with day work, shift work,
and rotating shift work revealed that individuals in the rotating shift workers
group recorded a higher average 24-hour energy intake. Rotating shift work-
ers tended to have irregular and more frequent meals, engage in more snacking
or eating at night, consume lower amounts of core foods, and have a higher in-
take of discretionary foods. This pattern was associated with an increased risk
of cardiometabolic conditions among rotating shift workers.
This study by authors Gupta et al., (2020) examined the effects of consum-
ing a meal during a simulated night shift on driving performance. It was ob-
served that driving performance was impaired from 01:30 to 07:30, particular-
ly for those who consumed a meal compared to those who had a snack or didn‘t
eat at all during the night. Those who consumed a meal showed significant im-
pairment during their commute home, indicating that reducing food intake
during the night shift could potentially improve safety. Additionally, partici-
pants who consumed a snack did not report feeling excessively full throughout
the night shift, suggesting that consuming a snack could be a viable option for
satisfying hunger during the night shift. The study also revealed an increase in
subjective sleepiness during the night shift, with the highest levels reported at