Page 93 - 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

Discussion
Shift work presents a great challenge in ensuring regular and healthy eating.
During the nighttime shift, the use of caffeine and snacks is more frequent,
and it is very difficult for the human body to adapt to such a rhythm of work.
Shift work is an important risk factor for obesity, sleep disorders, high blood
pressure, and cardiovascular diseases. The longer the shift work lasts, the great-
er the risks. Inadequate nutrition (improper eating habits, excessive consump-
tion of sugar, frequent unhealthy snacks), lack of sleep, low physical activity,
negative emotions, and increased stress pose greater health risks. The relat-
ed body weight increases the risk of various cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,
diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and cancer. Obesity is associated with
various functional limitations: limited mobility and flexibility, low endurance,
and a greater number of acquired injuries when performing strenuous tasks.
All these negative health factors are interconnected and intertwined and cause
problems for shift workers in all areas of life (Drenovec and Vošner, 2023). Re- 93
search suggests that consuming low-glycemic index meals, regardless of fre-
quency, may be a beneficial option for managing glucose levels during night
shifts, potentially supporting improved glucose regulation (Suyoto et al., 2023).
Studies have shown that getting an insufficient amount of nighttime sleep and
experiencing high social jet lag can increase the risk of dyslipidemia. On the
other hand, being a “night owl” and having a longer time gap between the last
meal and bedtime seem to have protective effects against dyslipidemia.(Gar-
rido et al., 2021). We have drawn the following conclusions from our review the influence of night work on the eating habits of workers
of the articles. In certain professions, night shifts are an unavoidable reality.
Working at night can lead to an increased risk of numerous health issues, in-
cluding obesity and diabetes. Night workers often experience difficulties with
insomnia, reduced concentration and cognitive abilities, digestive problems,
and challenges in managing their personal lives due to differing work and rest
schedules from their loved ones. The dietary habits of shift workers typical-
ly involve excessive fat consumption and insufficient fiber, fruits, and vegeta-
bles. In addition to sleep, physical activity, and mental well-being, maintaining
a balanced diet is crucial for a healthy lifestyle (Kranjc, 2022). Hence, it is cru-
cial to give careful consideration to the arrangement of shift schedules, ensur-
ing that the physiological, psychological, and social needs of employees are du-
ly acknowledged. Further research is required to formulate strategies tailored
to the needs of shift workers, as well-designed measures can mitigate the ad-
verse impacts of shift work (Lavrič and Štukovnik, 2021According to the re-
search, driver safety during the simulated commute home is improved follow-
ing the night shift when a snack, rather than a meal, is consumed during the
shift (Gupta et al., 2020). The findings offer a proof-of-concept demonstration
of an evidence-based meal timing intervention that may prevent mood vulner-
ability in shift work settings. Future studies are required to establish if chang-
es in meal timing can prevent mood vulnerability in night workers (Quian et
al., 2022).