Evaluation of the relationship between serum nesfatin-1 level, circadian rhythm, energy requirement, and nutritional status in shift working health personnel

Circadian system disruption, sleep irregularity, subsequent changes in energy balance, and malnutrition are common in individuals working in shifts . The change in feeding time also affects hunger and satiety physiology and hormones. In this study , it was aimed to evaluate the serum nesfatin-1 level, circadian rhythm, nutritional status and energy requirements of healthcare personnel working in shifts and only during the day and to compare the data obtained from the two groups. The research is a descriptive and cross-sectional clinical study. It was conducted at SANKO University Hospital with a total of 74 healthcare personnel between the ages of 20-45 (age average standard deviation values) who work in shifts (n:38) and only during the day (n:36). In order to exclude confounding factors in the study, both study groups were selected to be similar in terms of age, gender and body mass index (BMI). The researcher collected the participants' general information, nutritional habits, physical activity level, information through face-to-face interviews. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSQ) and food consumption frequency data were determined, DMH (resting metabolic rate) measurements were made with anthropometric and indirect calorimetry ( FitMate ), and a 24-hour food consumption record was taken for 3 days. 5 mL of blood was taken for nesfatin-1 analysis from day workers during working hours and from shift workers after shift work . Daytime workers have a higher rate of skipping meals in both genders (p<0.05), and men working during the day have a higher rate of consuming snacks than shift workers (p<0.05). Body fat mass and percentage of daytime workers are higher than shift workers (p<0.05). Shift workers have worse sleep quality and higher stress levels than day workers (p<0.05). Protein intake of shift workers is higher than day workers (p<0.05). Stress and serum nesfatin-1 levels of men working shifts show a significant positive correlation (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between serum nesfatin-1 level and sleep quality, RMR value, and physical activity level in both study groups (p<0.05). Serum nesfatin-1 level did not show a significant difference in shift workers, but sleep quality, stress level and nutritional behavior tended to deteriorate. It is recommended to review the nutrition opportunities of shift workers and to provide support from an institutional dietitian for nutrition planning and monitoring in terms of healthy nutrition and quality of life.