You are viewing a javascript disabled version of the site. Please enable Javascript for this site to function properly.
Go to headerGo to navigationGo to searchGo to contentsGo to footer
In content section. Select this link to jump to navigation

Metabolic impact of shift work

Issue title: IEA 2012: 18th World congress on Ergonomics - Designing a sustainable future

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Zimberg, Ioná Zalcman | Fernandes Junior, Silvio A. | Crispim, Cibele Aparecida | Tufik, Sergio | de Mello, Marco Tulio;

Affiliations: Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil | Centro de Estudo Multidisciplinar em Sonolência e Acidentes, São Paulo, Brazil | Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Note: [] Corresponding author: Marco Tulio de Mello. Rua Professor Francisco de Castro, 93. Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, Zip code 04020-050 Phone/Fax number: + 55 11 5572 0177, E-mail adress: tmello@demello.net.br

Keywords: Shift work, metabolism, obesity, sleep restriction, circadian misalignment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0733-4376

Journal: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 4376-4383, 2012

Published: 2012
Get PDF

Abstract

In developing countries, shift work represents a considerable contingent workforce. Recently, studies have shown that overweight and obesity are more prevalent in shift workers than day workers. In addition, shift work has been associated with a higher propensity for the development of many metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance, diabetes, dislipidemias and metabolic syndrome. Recent data have pointed that decrease of the sleep time, desynchronization of circadian rhythm and alteration of environmental aspects are the main factors related to such problems. Shortened or disturbed sleep is among the most common health-related effects of shift work. The plausible physiological and biological mechanisms are related to the activation of the autonomic nervous system, inflammation, changes in lipid and glucose metabolism, and related changes in the risk for atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and type II diabetes. The present review will discuss the impact of shift work on obesity and metabolic disorders and how disruption of sleep and circadian misalignment may contribute to these metabolic dysfunctions.

Show more