Joseph Nano Sleep, Uncategorized

Shift Work Linked to Poorer Sleep, Higher Stress—and Less Mediterranean‑Style Eating

A study of 322 Italian workers suggests “night owls” on shifts may be hit hardest.

Why it matters
Around‑the‑clock jobs keep society running—but they can disrupt body clocks. New research in the European Journal of Nutrition finds that shift workers not only sleep worse, they also score lower on a Mediterranean‑diet index and report more stress and anxiety symptoms than daytime workers. That combination can raise long‑term risks for heart and metabolic disease.

What the study did
Researchers compared 166 shift workers with 156 non‑shift workers. Over one week, participants logged everything they ate and drank; they also completed standard questionnaires on Mediterranean‑diet adherence (Medi‑Lite), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), mental health (DASS‑21), and chronotype (morning vs. evening type).

Key findings

  • Diet quality dipped in shift workers. On a 0–18 scale, shift workers scored lower on Mediterranean‑diet adherence (about 0.6 points lower on average; p < 0.05), driven by fewer people meeting targets for legumes (12.0% vs 21.2%) and fish (4.2% vs 10.3%).
  • Sleep quality was notably worse. Average PSQI scores were 7.68 ± 3.70 for shift workers vs 5.76 ± 3.01 for non‑shift workers; shift work independently predicted poor sleep (OR 2.65; 95% CI 1.60–4.40). Night‑shift staff reported more sleep disturbances than day‑shift staff (1.24 ± 0.50 vs 1.08 ± 0.49; p = 0.044).
  • Stress and anxiety were more common. Shift workers had a higher prevalence of these symptoms; after adjustment, shift work remained an independent risk factor for stress (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.07–2.61; p = 0.02).
  • Chronotype mattered. Among shift workers, those with an evening chronotype ate less healthfully (Medi‑Lite 7.7 ± 2.3 vs 9.1 ± 2.1 for morning types) and were less likely to meet legume targets (6.7% vs 19.6%; p = 0.045).
  • Meal timing looked similar overall. Both groups reported a roughly 12‑hour eating window with the midpoint around 1 p.m. Day‑shift workers were more likely to meet milk/dairy targets (43.1% vs 26.6%; p = 0.007).

What this means for workers and employers

  • Protect sleep: Prioritize consistent sleep routines, dark/quiet sleep environments, and limit overnight screen time.
  • Make the Mediterranean easy: Offer legume‑based options and fish in workplace cafeterias and vending; plan portable, protein‑plus‑produce snacks for nights.
  • Roster with rhythm: Where possible, use forward‑rotating shifts, limit quick turnarounds, and consider chronotype‑aware scheduling to reduce strain.
  • Watch stress: Employers can pair scheduling changes with access to mental‑health resources and stress‑management programs.

Caveats
This cross‑sectional study can’t prove cause and effect, and it involved Italian adults who volunteered—so results may not apply to every workforce. Still, the pattern is clear: shift work is tied to worse sleep and diet quality, with “night owls” at particular risk.

Source: Lotti S, Moretton M, Bulgari M, et al. “Association between shift work and eating behaviours, sleep quality, and mental health among Italian workers.” European Journal of Nutrition (2025).

Editor’s note: This article is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.