TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring Australian night shift workers' food experiences within and outside of the workplace
T2 - A qualitative photovoice study
AU - Leung, Gloria K.W.
AU - Huggins, Kate E.
AU - Bonham, Maxine P.
AU - Kleve, Sue
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Authors 2023.
PY - 2023/11
Y1 - 2023/11
N2 - Objective: Night shift workers are at a 20 to 40% increased risk of metabolic diseases, which may be associated with their disrupted eating patterns. This qualitative study explores factors that influence night shift workers' eating habits, within and outside of the workplace, to identify target areas for health promotion strategies. Participants & Setting: Eligible participants resided in Australia, working at least 3 overnight shifts per month. Design: The photovoice method was used, whereby participants were asked to take photos that represent their typical eating habits. These photos were incorporated as prompts in a semi-structured interview, which explored factors influencing eating habits on night shifts and days-off and perceptions and enablers to healthy eating. Results: Ten participants completed the study. Thematic analysis generated four main themes, which were mapped onto the Social Ecological Model (SEM). Aligned with the SEM, our results show night shift workers' eating habits are influenced by intrapersonal, interpersonal and (work) organisational levels. Participants reported that at work, appropriate food preparation facilities are required to enable healthy food choices. Poor shift work rostering leads to prolonged fatigue on days-off, limiting their ability and motivation to engage in healthy eating. Consequently, night shift workers seem to require additional supports from their social networks and enhanced food literacy skills, in order to adopt/ maintain healthy eating behaviours. Conclusions: Night shift work creates individual and environmental barriers to healthy eating, which are present during and outside of work. Health promotion strategies for this population should include multiple approaches, targeting these barriers.
AB - Objective: Night shift workers are at a 20 to 40% increased risk of metabolic diseases, which may be associated with their disrupted eating patterns. This qualitative study explores factors that influence night shift workers' eating habits, within and outside of the workplace, to identify target areas for health promotion strategies. Participants & Setting: Eligible participants resided in Australia, working at least 3 overnight shifts per month. Design: The photovoice method was used, whereby participants were asked to take photos that represent their typical eating habits. These photos were incorporated as prompts in a semi-structured interview, which explored factors influencing eating habits on night shifts and days-off and perceptions and enablers to healthy eating. Results: Ten participants completed the study. Thematic analysis generated four main themes, which were mapped onto the Social Ecological Model (SEM). Aligned with the SEM, our results show night shift workers' eating habits are influenced by intrapersonal, interpersonal and (work) organisational levels. Participants reported that at work, appropriate food preparation facilities are required to enable healthy food choices. Poor shift work rostering leads to prolonged fatigue on days-off, limiting their ability and motivation to engage in healthy eating. Consequently, night shift workers seem to require additional supports from their social networks and enhanced food literacy skills, in order to adopt/ maintain healthy eating behaviours. Conclusions: Night shift work creates individual and environmental barriers to healthy eating, which are present during and outside of work. Health promotion strategies for this population should include multiple approaches, targeting these barriers.
KW - dietary intake
KW - dietary pattern
KW - night work
KW - qualitative
KW - shift work
KW - workplace
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85167903148&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S1368980023001519
DO - 10.1017/S1368980023001519
M3 - Article
C2 - 37548181
AN - SCOPUS:85167903148
SN - 1368-9800
VL - 26
SP - 2276
EP - 2287
JO - Public Health Nutrition
JF - Public Health Nutrition
IS - 11
ER -