Evaluation of the chronobiological profile and its relation with the nutritional state of night shift industrial workers

Abstract

C hronobiology is responsible for studying the temporal properties of living matter, including all levels of organization, as well as the study of circadian rhythms, which are biological rhythms that oscillate around 24 hours. The objective of the present study was to reveal the chronobiological profile of night workers in an industry, as well as to detect the de gree of influence of shift work conditions on sleep habits and nutritional status of workers, evidencing determining factors and attenuating expected complications. A descriptive, transversal study with a quantitative approach was carried out. The data wer e collected through a questionnaire that evaluated the workers' sleep habits, applied during the period in which employees ate their meals in the industry. Subsequently, anthropometry was performed to evaluate nutritional status, where weight, height, arm circumference and waist circumference were measured. It was verified in relation to its chronotype 72% are morning, 26% moderately morning and 2% are moderately evening. When analyzing the nutritional status of the workers, 78% are diagnosed as overweight / obese and 22% are eutrophic. When the diagnosis of Arm Circumference was analyzed, the majority (84%) were in a state of eutrophy, and (16%) were overweight. Another parameter analyzed was the Abdominal Circumference, where 28% presented a risk of cardio vascular diseases and 72% presented Circumference of the Arm without risks of cardiovascular diseases. It is concluded that the chronotype does directly affect the work of the individual, and can cause health problems with the change of schedules other tha n the chronotype.