Characterising the impact of shift work on diet and glucose variability in healthcare employees living with type 2 diabetes: The Shift‐Diabetes study
Authors' conclusion
Night shifts are associated with prolonged wakefulness, increased activity, and distinct dietary behaviours. Tailored interventions are needed to support night shift workers with T2D in managing their condition effectively.
Study context
- Population
- Healthcare shift workers with T2D, monitored over 10 days; 89.2% women, mainly nurses or midwives (62.2%)
- Participants
- 37 workers
- Exposure
- Night shifts vs day shifts vs rest days
- Outcome
- Diet, glucose variability and activity by day type
Methodological detailswithin-person comparisons, free-living, blinded CGM
- Within-person comparisons
- Free-living
- Blinded CGM
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Energy intake highest on a night shift day (kcal, SD 648)
- 2199
- Eating occasions highest on night shifts (SD 2.2)
- 7.0
- Eating occasions lowest on rest after night (RAN) (SD 1.6); p < 0.001
- 3.4
- Step counts higher on night shift days vs other day types (SD 4270; p = 0.016)
- 13,775
- Hours awake longer on night shift days vs other day types (SD 2.4 h; p < 0.001)
- 22.2 h
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Characterising the impact of shift work on diet and glucose variability in healthcare employees living with type 2 diabetes: The Shift‐Diabetes study. Diabet Med. Published 24 February 2026. doi:10.
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