Long hours, shiftwork and other "nonstandard" work schedules have been linked to higher rates of obesity. For the many nurses who work such adverse schedules, special attention may be needed to prevent obesity and protect health.
"Adverse work schedules may be an overriding work-related factor for nurse obesity," Dr. Trinkoff and colleagues wrote. They believe that in addition to lack of opportunities for healthy behaviors, nurses with adverse schedules may have difficulty accessing healthy foods.
These nurses may need extra support to prevent obesity and its adverse health effects, the authors added. "In particular, for nurses with unfavorable work schedules, organizations should support improving schedules and promote the ability to practice healthy behaviors."
ACOEM (www.acoem.org), an international society of 5,000 occupational physicians and other health care professionals, provides leadership to promote optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments.
