NUTRIENT INTAKE IN DAY WORKERS AND SHIFT WORKERS

The 24-h dietary intake, nutritional status parameters and psychosomat ic factors of two-shift, three-shift and day workers were compared. Es timations of the dietary intake (across a work cycle) were made by use of a nutrient database. No significant differences were found between the groups for a large number of nutritional variables: intake of ene rgy; intake and percentage of energy from protein, fat, total carbohyd rates and sucrose; intake of coffee; and intake and density of vitamin s and minerals. Only minor differences were found between the groups w ith regard to the quantitative intake of alcohol and calcium, and with regard to the quality of the diet (percentage of energy from alcohol, density of calcium). The groups differed significantly with respect t o attitude towards work hours (three-shift workers being most negative in their attitude) and sleep disturbances (shift workers being most n egative). The three-shift workers were more evening-oriented and they had higher concentrations of glucose in their blood. It was concluded that work hours not related to nutritional intake-at least not when to tal amounts across time are considered. It was also concluded that wor k hours were not related to Body Mass Index or blood lipids: triglycer ides, total cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.