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Work schedules influence nurses' risk factors for obesity

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

The hours that nurses work may have an impact on their likelihood of developing obesity, according to researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. This is worrisome in light of the fact that obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other conditions which may be identified with the help of a blood test.

Medical experts have known that people who work nonstandard schedules are at a higher risk of health problems compared to other employees. In order to investigate these trends in nurses, the scientists conducted a study that included 1,700 female nurses, about 700 of whom had adverse work schedules: long hours, high burden, required to be on call or ready for overtime, and not getting enough rest. The remaining subjects had more favorable schedules.

Overall, 55 percent of nurses in both groups were obese.

Results showed that among those who had adverse work schedules, obesity was tied to poor sleep quality and less exercise. Within the other group, obesity was more likely to be due to unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, alcohol or job stress.

"Adverse work schedules may be an overriding work-related factor for nurse obesity," said researcher Alison Trinkoff, Sc.D., R.N.

Employees who are worried about their cardiovascular risks may want to consider taking a blood test to measure variables such as cholesterol and glucose.