Comparison of Sleep Quality, Waist Circumference and Body Mass Index Among Shift and Non-shift Workers

Objective: Sleep is a reversible condition in which the creature's response threshold increases to external stimuli. A good night's sleep is one of the most important components of health and quality of life and short or long sleep duration is associated with obesity. This study aimed to compare body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference with sleep quality and shift status in shift or non-shift workers of a private hospital in Istanbul. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was applied to 202 participants, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index scores were evaluated and a sleep diary was filled. Participants' waist circumference, height and weight were measured, BMI values were calculated. Results: The results were evaluated according to shift status and sleep quality, and the sleep quality was found to be significantly poor for shift worker female participants. According to shift status, non-shift workers' BMI and waist circumference were determined significantly higher than shift workers' regardless to gender. The mean BMI values decreased as the shift frequency increased in female and male participants. The participants with poor sleep quality and non-shift were found to have higher BMI values. Conclusion: The current literature results are controversial which investigates the relationship between sleep quality, waist circumference and body mass index among the shift and non-shift workers, and these results require to be clarified. On the basis of these results, both individual and employer based precautions should be well organised.