Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Leisure-time physical activity does not fully explain the higher body mass index in irregular-shift workers

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To elucidate the influence of leisure-time physical activity on body mass index (BMI), appetite-related hormones, and sleep when working irregular shifts.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was undertaken of 57 male truck drivers, 31 irregular-shift workers and 26 day-shift workers. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and were assessed for BMI. Subjects also provided a fasting blood sample for analysis of appetite-related hormones and wore an actigraphy device for seven consecutive days.

Results

Although leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was generally low (<150 min/week) in both groups, the irregular-shift workers were more physically active than day-shift workers (99 ± 166 vs. 23 ± 76 min/week, p < 0.01). In spite of this, mean BMI of irregular-shift workers was 2 kg/m2 greater than day-shift workers (28.4 ± 3.8 vs. 26.4 ± 3.6 kg/m2, p = 0.04). Mean leptin concentration was 61 % higher in irregular-shift workers (5,205 ± 4,181 vs. 3,179 ± 2,413 pg/ml, p = 0.04). Among obese individuals, irregular-shift workers had higher leptin concentration (p < 0.01) and shorter sleep duration (p = 0.01) than obese day-shift workers.

Conclusion

Elevated BMI was associated with high leptin and low ghrelin levels in this population of irregular-shift workers. No influence of LTPA on appetite-related hormones or sleep duration was found. We conclude that moderate LTPA is insufficient to attenuate the higher BMI associated with this type of irregular-shift work in truck drivers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Atkinson G, Edwards B, Reilly T, Waterhouse J (2007) Exercise as a synchroniser of human circadian rhythms: an update and discussion of the methodological problems. Eur J Appl Physiol 99:331–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson G, Fullick S, Grindey C, Maclaren D (2008) Exercise, energy balance and the shift worker. Sports Med 38:671–685

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bjorvatn B, Sagen IM, Oyane N, Waage S, Fetveit A et al (2007) The association between sleep duration, body mass index and metabolic measures in the Hordaland Health Study. J Sleep Res 16:66–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bloom SR, Kuhajda FP, Laher I, Pi-Sunyer X, Ronnett GV et al (2008) The obesity epidemic: pharmacological challenges. Mol Interv 8:82–98

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Broom DR, Batterham RL, King JA, Stensel DJ (2009) Influence of resistance and aerobic exercise on hunger, circulating levels of acylated ghrelin, and peptide YY in healthy males. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 296:R29–R35

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bushnell PT, Colombi A, Caruso CC, Tak S (2010) Work schedules and health behavior outcomes at a large manufacturer. Ind Health 48:395–405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen JD, Lin YC, Hsiao ST (2010) Obesity and high blood pressure of 12-hour night shift female clean-room workers. Chronobiol Int 27:334–344

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cummings DE, Weigle DS, Frayo RS, Breen PA, Ma MK et al (2002) Plasma ghrelin levels after diet-induced weight loss or gastric bypass surgery. N Engl J Med 346:1623–1630

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dagogo-Jack S, Tykodi G, Umamaheswaran I (2005) Inhibition of cortisol biosynthesis decreases circulating leptin levels in obese humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90:5333–5335

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Di Milia L, Mummery K (2009) The association between job related factors, short sleep and obesity. Ind Health 47:363–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diaz-Sampedro E, Lopez-Maza R, Gonzalez-Puente M (2010) Eating habits and physical activity in hospital shift workers. Enferm Clin 20:229–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duez H, Staels B (2009) Rev-erb-alpha: an integrator of circadian rhythms and metabolism. J Appl Physiol 107:1972–1980

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ekmekcioglu C, Touitou Y (2010) Chronobiological aspects of food intake and metabolism and their relevance on energy balance and weight regulation. Obes Rev 12:14–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esquirol Y, Bongard V, Mabile L, Jonnier B, Soulat JM et al (2009) Shift work and metabolic syndrome: respective impacts of job strain, physical activity, and dietary rhythms. Chronobiol Int 26:544–559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher GM, Behrens TK, Domina L (2008) Barriers and enabling factors for work-site physical activity programs: a qualitative examination. J Phys Act Health 5:418–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster-Schubert KE, McTiernan A, Frayo RS, Schwartz RS, Rajan KB et al (2005) Human plasma ghrelin levels increase during a one-year exercise program. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90:820–825

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fullick S, Grindey C, Edwards B, Morris C, Reilly T et al (2009) Relationships between leisure-time energy expenditure and individual coping strategies for shift-work. Ergonomics 52:448–455

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gale SM, Castracane VD, Mantzoros CS (2004) Energy homeostasis, obesity and eating disorders: recent advances in endocrinology. J Nutr 134:295–298

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garaulet M, Ordovas JM, Madrid JA (2010) The chronobiology, etiology and pathophysiology of obesity. Int J Obes (Lond) 34:1667–1683

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghigo E, Broglio F, Arvat E, Maccario M, Papotti M et al (2005) Ghrelin: more than a natural GH secretagogue and/or an orexigenic factor. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 62:1–17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guilbert JJ (2003) The world health report 2002—reducing risks, promoting healthy life. Educ Health (Abingdon) 16:230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harma MI, Ilmarinen J, Knauth P, Rutenfranz J, Hanninen O (1988a) Physical training intervention in female shift workers: II. The effects of intervention on the circadian rhythms of alertness, short-term memory, and body temperature. Ergonomics 31:51–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harma MI, Ilmarinen J, Knauth P, Rutenfranz J, Hanninen O (1988b) Physical training intervention in female shift workers: I. The effects of intervention on fitness, fatigue, sleep, and psychosomatic symptoms. Ergonomics 31:39–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • International Diabetes Federation (2006) The IDF consensus worldwide definition of metabolic syndrome. http://www.idf.org/webdata/docs/IDF_Meta_def_final.pdf. Accessed 14 July 2010

  • Kaliterna LL, Prizmic LZ, Zganec N (2004) Quality of life, life satisfaction and happiness in shift- and non-shiftworkers. Rev Saude Publica 38(Suppl):3–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karlsson BH, Knutsson AK, Lindahl BO, Alfredsson LS (2003) Metabolic disturbances in male workers with rotating three-shift work. Results of the WOLF study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 76:424–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller P, Keller C, Steensberg A, Robinson LE, Pedersen BK (2005) Leptin gene expression and systemic levels in healthy men: effect of exercise, carbohydrate, interleukin-6, and epinephrine. J Appl Physiol 98:1805–1812

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klok MD, Jakobsdottir S, Drent ML (2007) The role of leptin and ghrelin in the regulation of food intake and body weight in humans: a review. Obes Rev 8:21–34

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langenberg C, Bergstrom J, Laughlin GA, Barrett-Connor E (2005) Ghrelin, adiponectin, and leptin do not predict long-term changes in weight and body mass index in older adults: longitudinal analysis of the Rancho Bernardo cohort. Am J Epidemiol 162:1189–1197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lauderdale DS, Knutson KL, Rathouz PJ, Yan LL, Hulley SB et al (2009) Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between objectively measured sleep duration and body mass index: the CARDIA Sleep Study. Am J Epidemiol 170:805–813

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Littner M, Kushida CA, Anderson WM, Bailey D, Berry RB et al (2003) Practice parameters for the role of actigraphy in the study of sleep and circadian rhythms: an update for 2002. Sleep 26:337–341

    Google Scholar 

  • Lund J, Arendt J, Hampton SM, English J, Morgan LM (2001) Postprandial hormone and metabolic responses amongst shift workers in Antarctica. J Endocrinol 171:557–564

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsudo SM, Araújo T, Matsudo VKR et al (2001) Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ): estudo e validade e reprodutibilidade no Brasil. Rev Bras de Ativ Fis Saúde 6:5–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Monti V, Carlson JJ, Hunt SC, Adams TD (2006) Relationship of ghrelin and leptin hormones with body mass index and waist circumference in a random sample of adults. J Am Diet Assoc 106:822–828

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno CR, Louzada FM, Teixeira LR, Borges F, Lorenzi-Filho G (2006) Short sleep is associated with obesity among truck drivers. Chronobiol Int 23:1295–1303

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morris CJ, Fullick S, Gregson W, Clarke N, Doran D et al (2010) Paradoxical post-exercise responses of acylated ghrelin and leptin during a simulated night shift. Chronobiol Int 27:590–605

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morris CJ, Aeschbach D, Scheer FA (2012) Circadian system, sleep and endocrinology. Mol Cell Endocrinol 349:91–104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nagaya T, Yoshida H, Takahashi H, Kawai M (2002) Markers of insulin resistance in day and shift workers aged 30–59 years. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 75:562–568

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ohayon MM, Smolensky MH, Roth T (2010) Consequences of shiftworking on sleep duration, sleepiness, and sleep attacks. Chronobiol Int 27:575–589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pate RR, Pratt M, Blair SN, Haskell WL, Macera CA et al (1995) Physical activity and public health. A recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine. JAMA 273:402–407

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Purnell JQ, Weigle DS, Breen P, Cummings DE (2003) Ghrelin levels correlate with insulin levels, insulin resistance, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but not with gender, menopausal status, or cortisol levels in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 88:5747–5752

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scheer FA, Hilton MF, Mantzoros CS, Shea SA (2009) Adverse metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of circadian misalignment. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106:4453–4458

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz MW, Morton GJ (2002) Obesity: keeping hunger at bay. Nature 418:595–597

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shea SA, Hilton MF, Orlova C, Ayers RT, Mantzoros CS (2005) Independent circadian and sleep/wake regulation of adipokines and glucose in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90:2537–2544

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siedlecka J (2006) Selected work-related health problems in drivers of public transport vehicles. Med Pr 57:47–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Sookoian S, Gemma C, Fernandez Gianotti T, Burgueno A, Alvarez A et al (2007) Effects of rotating shift work on biomarkers of metabolic syndrome and inflammation. J Intern Med 261:285–292

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Staels B (2006) When the Clock stops ticking, metabolic syndrome explodes. Nat Med 12:54–55

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stylianou C, Galli-Tsinopoulou A, Farmakiotis D, Rousso I, Karamouzis M et al (2007) Ghrelin and leptin levels in obese adolescents. Relationship with body fat and insulin resistance. Hormones (Athens) 6:295–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szosland D (2010) Shift work and metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and ischaemic heart disease. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 8:1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Tepas DI (1990) Do eating and drinking habits interact with work schedule variables? Work Stress 4:203–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ueda T, Hashimoto M, Yasui I, Sunaga M, Higashida T et al (1989) A questionnaire study on health of taxi drivers—relations to work conditions and daily life. Sangyo Igaku 31:162–175

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van der Lely AJ, Tschop M, Heiman ML, Ghigo E (2004) Biological, physiological, pathophysiological, and pharmacological aspects of ghrelin. Endocr Rev 25:426–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitfield Jacobson PJ, Prawitz AD, Lukaszuk JM (2007) Long-haul truck drivers want healthful meal options at truck-stop restaurants. J Am Diet Assoc 107:2125–2129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (2000) Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO consultation. World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser 894:i–xii, 1–253

  • Zoladz JA, Konturek SJ, Duda K, Majerczak J, Sliwowski Z et al (2005) Effect of moderate incremental exercise, performed in fed and fasted state on cardio-respiratory variables and leptin and ghrelin concentrations in young healthy men. J Physiol Pharmacol 56:63–85

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the study volunteers and Professor Greg Atkinson (Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK) for his contribution in data analysis. E.C.M. was the recipient of a research fellowship from CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brazil—National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development) for her traineeship during collaborative work at Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK (Project 200388-2010-0) and for her Ph.D. studies in Brazil (Project 142261/2008-4). We would like to acknowledge funding from the CNPq (Project 474199/2008-8).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, 01246-904, Brazil

    Elaine Cristina Marqueze, Melissa Araújo Ulhôa & Claudia Roberta Castro Moreno

Authors
  1. Elaine Cristina Marqueze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Melissa Araújo Ulhôa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Claudia Roberta Castro Moreno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claudia Roberta Castro Moreno.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Marqueze, E.C., Ulhôa, M.A. & Castro Moreno, C.R. Leisure-time physical activity does not fully explain the higher body mass index in irregular-shift workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 87, 229–239 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-013-0850-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-013-0850-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation