Food Intake, Work Shifts and Metabolic Syndrome: A Study with Healthcare Workers at a University Hospital in Southern Brazil

Introduction: Shift work is intrinsically associated with significant cardiovascular, metabolic, and nutritional health risks, including metabolic syndrome. There is an increasing awareness about the importance of eating habits, especially in challenging occupational contexts, such as shift work. Healthcare workers are subjected to long working hours and irregular schedules, and tend to develop inadequate eating habits, frequently preferring snacks and ultra-processed foods, while fiber intake, fundamental for the prevention of metabolic diseases, is often neglected. In this study we aim to evaluate the association between night work, metabolic syndrome, and food consumption patterns among healthcare workers in a large hospital in southern Brazil.

Methods: This quantitative cross- sectional research analyzed a sample of 156 healthcare workers (90-day workers and 66-night workers) with at least one year in the work shift at the hospital, excluding workers in fixed-term contracts, in the process of retirement, and pregnant women. Night work was defined to be work performed between 7:00 pm and 7:00 am, at least 3 times a week. Data collections occurred between July 2023 and March 2024, and included sociodemographic and occupational information, smoking and alcohol consumption habits, physical activity, sleep variables and chronotype (estimated by the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire), and dietary pattern, as well as anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and laboratory tests used to confirm the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MS).

Results: Night workers had higher blood pressure levels and reduced high density cholesterol (HDL) after adjustment for age, sex and time in the job at the hospital. They were 135% more likely to develop MS than day workers (PR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.07- 5.15). Night workers had a later last meal (p < 0.001), a larger interval between the first and last meals (p < 0.001), and shorter night fasting (p < 0.001) compared with day workers. There was no significant difference in the consumption of fiber, fat, or ultra-processed foods between the groups, nor was there an association between eating intervals and MS.

Conclusion: Circadian dysregulation, poor eating habits, and sleep dysregulation may be contributing to the increased risk of metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and changes in body measurements in night shift workers. Strategies such as intermittent fasting and nighttime food restriction can help with these negative impacts for shift workers. Food intake at night may be associated with metabolic changes. Our results highlight the importance of interventions targeting this group of workers, including occupational health programs that consider the challenges of night shift work, as well as policies that promote health and well-being in the workplace. Strategies to promote healthy habits and adjust eating times are essential. Support: State of Rio Grande do Sul Research Support Foundation (FAPERGS).

Publication History

Article published online:
08 October 2025