Trends in Occupational Health Epidemiology: The Role of Diet, Sleep and Shift Work in Chronic Disease

While the evidence is still emerging, particularly in the context of chronic diseases associated with environmental factors at work, preliminary studies indicate that aspects of food intake (such as timing, content, and quantity), sleep patterns, and shift work, especially nocturnal shifts, may adversely affect health. Future research should aim to delineate various strategies and contextual processes that underlie these detrimental effects, focusing on the implications for health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Sleep and nutrition are essential to human well-being, yet occupational demands often disrupt both. Understanding the extent to which employment contributes to the development of chronic diseases represents a significant challenge for modern societies operating on a 24-hour cycle.

Occupational settings may indirectly influence social determinants of health, potentially contributing to obesity through altered sleep patterns and dietary habits. A deeper exploration of this complex context through research is crucial to devise and implement interventions to enhance worker health.

Incorporating both laboratory-based studies involving human subjects and real-world field studies would enrich this research domain, providing comprehensive insights into the interplay between work, diet, sleep, and health.

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• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: diet, sleep, work, chronic diseases, occupational health

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