Significant association between shift work and metabolic syndrome
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The impact of shift work on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and metabolic syndrome is not yet well-defined. This cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the impact of shift work on metabolic syndrome in 98 strictly rotating shift workers (3x8 h) compared to 100 paired regular daytime-workers within the same petrochemical plant. Both groups were comparable in terms of major CVD factors, and both had a 10-year Framingham cardiovascular risk scoring of 11%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that shift working was associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome when using the NCEP ATP III definition but not when using the more recent International Diabetes Federation definition. Although total energy intake and contributions of the major nutrients did not differ between the two groups, energy intake among shift workers was more fractionated within the day, with a lesser contribution of breakfast and lunch but with increased intakes during intermediate light meals, particularly in the afternoon and night. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that dietary intakes during breakfast and intermediate light meals were “protective” against the metabolic syndrome, while a high caloric load at dinner time favoured its occurrence. After adjusting for potential confounding factors such as job strain, physical activity, and quantitative dietary parameters, shift work remained significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in all tested models. According to these results, a specific follow-up of shift workers should be recommended to occupational physicians.
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