Impact of the shift system of nurses’ work on their diet and physical activity
Nurses’ work in inpatient care often involves shift work. The shift system, especially working nights, disrupts habits and natural biological rhythms, is a hindrance to home and social life and has a detrimental effect on diet and physical activity. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of shift work on nurses’ dietary intake and physical activity. Using a diagnostic survey, the behaviours of nurses in one- and two-shift systems were compared. The results were processed using the Microsoft Excel and Statistica 10.0 software. The dietary habits and types of exercise did not differ significantly between nurses in the one-shift and two-shift systems. However, a slightly healthier lifestyle in terms of nutrition and exercise was exhibited by nurses in the one-shift system. It seems necessary to introduce health education among professionally active nurses in order to minimise potential problems arising from the style of work.
