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Does shift work affect the quality of sleep and weight of our nurses?
Author: Jonathan Warren
Shift work and long work hours not only have the potential to affect the sleep quality and quantity of our nurses in their metal beds, but also their risk of becoming obese by interfering "with adherence to healthy behaviour", according to new research.
In a study of 2,103 female nurses, published in the latest issue of Journal of Nursing Administration, it was revealed that nurses who have to work long hours on a regular basis enjoyed less good quality sleep than nurses who weren't on this shift pattern. These nurses were also more likely to pile on the pounds and around 55 per cent of all respondents were found to be obese.
Kihye Han, lead researcher of the study and postdoctoral fellow at the School of Nursing, urged for more research in the area in a bid to improve hospital and patient care outcomes. He also called for napping in the workplace and sleep hygiene educational programs to be supported by health care institutions.
He said: "Considering that more than half of nurses are overweight or obese, increasing availability of healthy food and providing sufficient time to consume it may reduce the risk of obesity and future health problems."
