An evaluation of sleep quality and nutritional status in nurses with different chronotypes

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of shift work on the sleep quality and nutritional status of nurses with different chronotypes. The study was designed to include 21 people from each chronotype and was completed with 60 participants. The participants were asked to record their food consumption during three different types of shifts they worked over a period of three days. We found that the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of the evening types was higher than that of the morning types (p < 0.05). The evening types had significantly higher weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-height ratio and neck circumference measurements than the morning types (p < 0.05). The daily energy, fat and SFA intakes of the morning types were significantly higher for those working 16:00–08:00 and 08:00–08:00 compared to those working 08:00–16:00 (p < 0.05). The highest carbohydrate intake was between 08:00–08:00. The amount of carbohydrate, energy and SFA consumed by the intermediate types between 08:00 and 08:00 was significantly higher than that consumed between 08:00 and 16:00. Chronotype and shift hours should also be taken into account when developing nutrition plans for participants who work shifts.

Keywords

• Anthropometric measurements
• Circadian rhythm
• Nutritional status
• Shift work
• Sleep quality