Researchers say shift workers face more health risks than daytime employees.
By Garry Kranz Comments 0 | Recommend 0
Restless and Unhealthy: People who work rotating shifts are more apt to suffer from sleep disorders, as well as anxiety, anger and
depression, according to a new study. Researchers say this because their bodies
tend to produce lower levels of serotonin, a hormone associated with regulating
sleep. The research studies 683 men of European ancestry, comparing 437 daytime
workers with 246 people who rotate between shifts. Those working shifts had
significantly lower levels of serotonin, which is measured by blood tests, than
daytime workers. Aside from cutting into their job performance, this also leads
shift workers to be heavier, less healthy and more prone to accidents, according
to the research, which appeared in the August 1 issue of Sleep, a medical
journal.
Workforce Management contributing editor Garry Kranz is based in Richmond, Virginia. E-mail editors@workforce.com to comment.
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