Long Hours, Shift Work Contribute To Obesity Among Nurses

A U.S. study among nurses finds that long work hours and shift work adversely affect the quantity and quality of sleep, often leading to unhealthy behavior and an increased risk of obesity. In the case of the 2,103 nurses surveyed – more than half of whom were overweight or obese – jobs often required less physical activity, also contributing to obesity. The researchers said their findings also have negative implications for hospitals and patient care outcomes. Possible remedies include: increased availability of healthy food, having sufficient time to eat healthy food, education about sleep hygiene, offering adaptive work schedules, and setting an organizational climate that supports napping in the workplace.