Prevalence of overweight and obesity among nurses with nightshift work in a large hospital

  Objective  To examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among nurses with nightshift work in Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University.

  Methods  We extracted data of spring season physical examination in 2017 on 537 and 102 female nurses engaged in night shift work (nightshift group) and day shift work (control group) in Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University. Then overweight and obesity statuses of the two groups were analyzed and compared based on calculations of body mass index (BMI).

  Results  In comparison with those in the control group, significantly higher rates of overweight (21.42%, n = 115) and obesity (16.57%, n = 89) were found in the nightshift group (both P < 0.05). For the night shift nurses, those aged 31 – 40 years and those with nightshift work experience of 5 years and more had significantly higher rates of overweight and obesity than the nurses aged 30 years and younger and with nightshift work experience of less than 5 years (P < 0.01 for all).

  Conclusion  The prevalence of overweight and obesity are relatively high and the rates increase with increment of age and years of work experience among nurses engaged in night shift work. The results suggest that specific interventions on overweight and obesity should be developed in the occupational population.