Nutrition of Nurses and Midwives Working Rotating Night Shifts

Nurses working rotating night shifts had a significantly higher adjusted mean intake of total energy at 2005 kcal compared to 1850 kcal for day workers.

• Total fatty acids intake was also higher among night shift workers, averaging 77.9 g compared to 70.4 g for day workers.
• Increased cholesterol intake was observed in night shift workers at 277 mg versus 258 mg in day workers.
• Night shift workers consumed more carbohydrates (266 g) and sucrose (55.8 g) than their day-working counterparts (244 g and 48.6 g, respectively).
• An inverse relationship was found between night shift work duration and the consumption of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin C, and the percentage of energy from proteins.
• The higher energy consumption associated with night shift work may contribute to an increased risk of overweight and obesity among nurses.

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