The effect of rotating shift work system on nutritional status and gastrointestinal symptom frequency in automotive factory workers

Shift work causes changes in eating, drinking, sleeping and working phases. Although there are studies reporting that the disruption of synchronisation as a result of the incompatibility of individuals' working hours with the circadian rhythm is the basis for the emergence of various metabolic disorders and chronic diseases, it has been reported that the change in eating and drinking times in these individuals may cause an increase in gastrointestinal complaints. This study was carried out to determine the dietary habits and gastrointesinal symptom status of a total of 120 workers, 73 rotating shift workers and 47 fixed day workers in an automotive factory. In the study, demographic data questionnaire, 3-day food consumption record, gastrointestinal symptom rating scale and anthropometric measurements were recorded. As a result of the study, the mean GSRS score was found to be statistically higher in shift workers than in continuous daytime workers, and a significant positive relationship was found between working time and GSRS score in shift workers (p<0,05). Iron intake, vitamin A intake rate and ORAC value were found to be statistically higher in shift workers compared to daytime workers, whereas vitamin C intake rate was found to be significantly lower in shift workers compared to daytime workers. In conclusion, shift workers are in the risk group for the development of gastrointestinal system diseases. Company policies should be established for the organisation of nutrition trainings that will increase the level of knowledge about the symptoms of diseases, management of these symptoms and prevention of diseases with proper nutrition. There is a need for studies with larger samples including different sectors to determine the risk of chronic diseases and nutritional status of shift workers.