Shift work and dietary behaviors among Korean workers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Shift work is linked to irregular eating patterns and poor nutrition, elevating chronic disease risk.
• Understanding dietary quality among shift workers is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate dietary quality and nutritional intake in relation to shift work status among Korean adults.
• To identify specific dietary patterns associated with shift work in the Korean workforce.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 15,121 Korean adults (aged ≥20 years) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) (2013-2021).
• Assessment of dietary quality using the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI).
• Statistical analysis using multivariable logistic regression, accounting for complex survey design and including gender-stratified analyses.

Main Results:

• Shift workers did not differ significantly in overall dietary quality but were more likely to skip breakfast.
• Shift workers consumed less fresh fruit, vegetables (excluding kimchi/pickles), and protein-rich foods.
• Shift workers showed better adherence to recommended sodium intake; gender-specific differences in dietary patterns were observed.

Conclusions:

• Shift work in Korean adults is associated with detrimental dietary patterns, including increased breakfast skipping and reduced intake of key food groups.
• Developing targeted strategies to enhance meal regularity and dietary balance is essential for the health management of shift workers.