Shift Work and Dietary Behaviors Among Korean Workers

초록

Background: Shift work is associated with irregular dietary habits and poor nutritional intake, increasing the risk of chronic diseases. This study aimed to assess dietary quality and nutritional intake according to shift work status among Korean adult workers. Methods: Data from 15,121 adult workers aged ≥20 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted between 2013 and 2021 were analyzed. Dietary quality was evaluated using the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), and shift work status was determined by self-reported working hours. Associations between shift work and dietary quality were assessed using multivariable logistic regression, accounting for the complex survey design. Stratified analyses by gender were also conducted. Results: Shift workers showed no significant difference in overall dietary quality compared to day workers (OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.80-1.04). However, shift workers more frequently skipped breakfast (OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.68-0.89) and consumed fewer fresh fruits (OR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.75-0.98), vegetables excluding kimchi/pickles (OR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.79-0.99), and protein-rich foods (OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.77-0.99). Conversely, shift workers had better adherence to recommended sodium intake (OR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.06-1.34). Gender-stratified analysis revealed lower fruit intake among male shift workers and more frequent breakfast skipping and lower fruit/protein intake among female shift workers. Conclusion: Among Korean adult workers, shift work was associated with unfavorable dietary patterns, characterized by increased breakfast skipping and lower intake of fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods. Tailored strategies to improve meal regularity and dietary balance are recommended for managing the health of shift workers. Keywords: Dietary quality; Korean Healthy Eating Index; Shift work. © The Author(s) [2025]. Published by Oxford University Press.

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