Is there an association between shift work and having a metabolic syndrome? Results from a population based study of 27 485 people

Obesity was more prevalent among shift workers, particularly in all age groups of women.

• Shift workers exhibited higher rates of obesity across all age groups for women and in two out of four age groups for men.
• Increased triglyceride levels were observed in two age groups of shift-working women but not among men.
• Low levels of HDL cholesterol were found in the youngest age group of shift workers for both men and women.
• Impaired glucose tolerance was more common in 60-year-old women who worked shifts.
• Obesity and high triglycerides remained significant risk factors for shift workers even after accounting for age and socioeconomic status.

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