Nutrition and 3‐shift work. The 24‐hour intake of energy and nutrients

Food consumption was studied (repeated 24‐hour recalls) during five days (four different work shifts and days off) in 16 healthy Swedish male papermill workers (rotating 3‐shift). A comparison (energy, fourteen nutrients) between 24‐hr periods showed a higher intake of energy and five nutrients during the 12 h work shift day compared to days off. The mean 24‐hr energy‐intake varied between 16,7 MJ (12 h work shift) and 13,3 MJ (days off). When only work hours were considered, the intake of energy and six nutrients were significantly higher during the morning‐shift compared to the night‐shift. There were no differences in the quality of the diet or the coffee consumption between 24‐hr days or between 8‐hr shifts. It was concluded that shift work affects 24 h nutrient intake to a very limited extent, although the distribution within 24 hours may vary.

Key words:

• nutrition
• shift work
• night work
• dietary survey
• 24‐hour recall
• energy
• nutrients
• circadian distribution
• Body Mass Index
• coffee