Paulina – student intern, Institute for Public Health and Nursing Science, University Bremen, Germany
Hannah Jilani – Nutritional Scientist, Institute for Public Health and Nursing Science, University Bremen, Germany
Nearly 34 million people in the EU work in shift jobs, which is associated with an increased risk of overweight and related diseases. Therefore, there is a significant need to promote a healthy environment. Since June 2023, the EU-funded project SHIFT2HEALTH, which is coordinated by the University of Vienna and involves 15 partners from seven European countries, has been underway. The SHIFT2HEALTH aims to investigate the behavioral and physiological factors that contribute to weight gain among shift workers over a five-year period and to develop innovative solutions to support healthy nutrition behaviors. Further details of the project can be found at: www.shift2health.eu.
Paulina said “I have the opportunity to do my internship related to my studies in Public Health / Health Sciences in this project at the University Bremen (with Hannah Jilani), which provides me with valuable insights into the practical applications of research and the implementation of health interventions.”
The disruption of the sleep-wake rhythm due to night shift work causes fluctuations in hormone levels, leading to the promotion of unhealthy eating habits. These include snacking, high sugar consumption and cravings for fatty and sugary foods. However, the reason for the intense craving for sugary and fatty foods is not yet fully understood. To explore these, dietary tendencies and sensory smell and taste tests were carried out along with recording the dietary habits.
The smell test is conducted using the 16 Sniffin’ Sticks Set where participants smell each stick and match a scent to one out of four provided options. They also rate how much they like the smell on a scale of one to nine. To measure the ability to recognize taste and assess intensity, the participant tests six taste strips. They can choose between ‘sweet,’ ‘sour,’ ‘salty,’ ‘bitter,’ ‘umami,’ and ‘no taste,’ and rate intensity from zero to ten. Additionally, every participant answers the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire (LFPQ).
The sensory tests are conducted to assess how the senses, particularly taste and smell, change with working night shifts. Due to sleep deprivation, irregular mealtimes, and stress associated with night shift work, it is assumed that sensory perception can be impaired.
As the data collection is underway, the study is expected to shed light on the suspected sensory and behavioral differences between night and day shift workers, with findings anticipated to inform effective interventions and product development.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:
E -mail: jilani@uni-bremen.de
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-jilani-3a0310a6/