Shift work can be challenging and can impact the health and well-being of workers. Here are ten common health struggles that shift workers face:
- Sleep disturbances: A study published in the Chest Journal found that shift workers were more likely to report sleep disturbances than non-shift workers. Reference
- Fatigue: A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that shift workers reported higher levels of fatigue than non-shift workers, and that fatigue was associated with increased risk of accidents.
- Weight gain: A study published in the Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome Journal found that shift workers were more likely to be overweight or obese than non-shift workers, and that night shift workers had the highest risk of obesity.
- Digestive problems: A study found that shift workers were more likely to experience digestive problems than non-shift workers.
- Depression and anxiety: A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that the risk of depressive symptoms was 33% higher than their non-shift working counterparts.
- Increased risk of accidents: A study found that shift workers were more likely to be involved in accidents than non-shift workers.
- Reproductive health problems: A study published in the Frontiers in Public Health found that female shift workers had a higher risk of menstrual irregularities and decreased fertility compared to non-shift workers.
- Increased risk of cancer: A study found that night shift work increases breast cancer by 2.34 times and high intensity night shift work increases 2.66 times.
- Reduced quality of life: A study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that shift workers reported lower levels of job satisfaction and overall life satisfaction compared to non-shift workers.
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