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Published in: Journal of Public Health 10/2023

Open Access 15-08-2022 | Insomnia | Original Article

Comparison of adult shift and non-shift workers’ physical activity and sleep behaviours: cross-sectional analysis from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia (HILDA) cohort

Authors: Matthew J. Fenwick, Stina Oftedal, Tracy L. Kolbe-Alexander, Mitch J. Duncan

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 10/2023

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Abstract

Aim

This study compares the pattern of physical activity and sleep between shift and non-shift workers using a novel physical activity–sleep index. By drawing from a diverse occupational population, this research aims to reduce any occupational specific biases which are prevalent in shift-work research.

Subject and methods

Current data included 7607 workers (shift workers n = 832) from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia cohort study. The combined physical activity–sleep index comprised three physical activity components and three sleep health components: achieving moderate (1pt) or high (2pts) IPAQ classification; accruing ≥30% of physical activity as vigorous intensity (1pt); meeting sleep duration recommendations on a work night (1pt); and non-work night (1pt); and reporting no insomnia symptoms (1pt) (higher score = healthy behaviour, max. 6). Generalised linear modelling was used to compare behaviours of shift and non-shift workers.

Results

Findings showed shift workers reported significantly lower activity–sleep scores (3.59 vs 3.73, p < 0.001), lower sleep behaviour sub-score (2.01 vs. 2.22, p < 0.001) and were more likely to report insomnia symptoms (p < 0.001) compared to non-shift workers. No difference was reported for overall physical activity (shift = 1.58 vs. non-shift = 1.51, p = 0.383).

Conclusion

When viewed in conjunction using the combined activity–sleep index, shift workers displayed significantly poorer combined behaviours when compared to non-shift workers.
Appendix
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Literature
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go back to reference Australian Bureau of Statistics A (2019) Characteristics of Employment, Australia, August 2019. Characteristics of Employment, vol 6333.0, 2019 edn, Canberra Australian Bureau of Statistics A (2019) Characteristics of Employment, Australia, August 2019. Characteristics of Employment, vol 6333.0, 2019 edn, Canberra
go back to reference Oftedal S, Vandelanotte C, Duncan MJ (2019) Patterns of diet, physical activity, sitting and sleep are associated with socio-demographic, behavioural, and health-risk indicators in adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health 16(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132375 Oftedal S, Vandelanotte C, Duncan MJ (2019) Patterns of diet, physical activity, sitting and sleep are associated with socio-demographic, behavioural, and health-risk indicators in adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health 16(13). https://​doi.​org/​10.​3390/​ijerph16132375
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Metadata
Title
Comparison of adult shift and non-shift workers’ physical activity and sleep behaviours: cross-sectional analysis from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia (HILDA) cohort
Authors
Matthew J. Fenwick
Stina Oftedal
Tracy L. Kolbe-Alexander
Mitch J. Duncan
Publication date
15-08-2022
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword
Insomnia
Published in
Journal of Public Health / Issue 10/2023
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-022-01738-8

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