Abstract
Background
With the expanding demand for a 24-hour society, the prevalence of sleep deprivation
and other sleep-related health problems is increasing. Shiftwork is an occupational
health risk of growing significance because of its high prevalence and because of
its potential role as a determinant of socioeconomic-related health disparities.
Aims
The aim of this study was to examine the associations of shiftwork with overweight
status and type 2 diabetes and explore whether a history of sleep problems mediates
or modifies these associations.
Participants and methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1593 participants in the Survey of the
Health of Wisconsin (2008-2012) who were employed and reported work characteristics
(traditional schedule or shiftwork), sleep habits and history of sleep problems (insomnia,
insufficient sleep, and wake time sleepiness). Objective measures of body mass index
and type 2 diabetes were used.
Results
Shiftworkers were more overweight than traditional schedule workers (83% vs 71% with
body mass index ≥25) and reported more sleep problems, such as insomnia symptoms (24% vs 16%), insufficient
sleep (53% vs 43%), and sleepiness (32% vs 24%). The associations between shiftwork
and being overweight or diabetic were stronger among those reporting insufficient
sleep, but the interaction was not statistically significant.
Conclusions
Shiftworkers face disparities in metabolic health, particularly those with insufficient
sleep. Improved understanding of the relationship between sleep and metabolic states
can inform health care providers' and employers' efforts to screen high-risk individuals
and intervene with workplace wellness initiatives to address these disparities.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 17, 2015
Accepted:
April 8,
2015
Received in revised form:
April 7,
2015
Received:
February 27,
2015
Footnotes
☆Author contributorship: MLG conducted the analyses and wrote the manuscript. Authors consulted on the study design, implementation, and interpretation drawing from their content or analytical expertise including the following: KCM led data collection efforts in SHOW and consulted on measurement and assessment of environmental and occupational exposures, outcomes, and health disparities; FJN, AS, and CDE on cardiometabolic health; MP on statistical analysis; FJN, PEP, and MCW on survey methods; and FJN and PEP on sleep dysfunction. All authors contributed to manuscript development.
☆☆The project was supported by award number T32HD049302 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development or the National Institutes of Health. This project was also supported through the SHOW funded by the National Institutes of Health; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (1RC2HL101468-01); the UW Wisconsin Partnership (Madison, WI) (06012009); and the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (Madison, WI) (KL2 RR025012). Dr Nieto's contributions were partially supported by the UW Helfaer Endowed Chair (Madison, WI).
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 National Sleep Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
