Prevalence of overweight and weight gain in relation to night work in a nurses' cohort.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between exposure to night work and prevalence of overweight and weight gain.


METHODS
Longitudinal observational study.


METHODS
469 nurses (age: 21-58 y).


METHODS
Body Mass Index, exposure to night work, age, parity, smoking and sports activities in 1980, 1985 and 1990.


RESULTS
Prevalence of overweight was associated with exposure to night work in 1980 and weight gains (especially those exceeding 7 kg) were more frequent among nurses on night work than on daytime work between 1985 and 1990.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to night work can lead to weight gain and overweight.
Niedhammer
I
I
INSERM Unit 88, Hôpital National de Saint-Maurice, France.
Lert
F
F
Marne
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D010298:Parity; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D012907:Smoking; D013177:Sports; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain