A Randomized Controlled Crossover Lifestyle Intervention to Improve Metabolic & Mental Health in Female Healthcare Night Shift Workers
A Randomized Controlled Crossover Lifestyle Intervention to Improve Metabolic & Mental Health in Female Healthcare Night Shift Workers
Circadian rhythm disruption caused by shift work alters metabolic and hormonal pathways, which accelerates chronic disease onset, leading to decreased quality and quantity of life. Preclinical studies indicate that optimizing nutrient and sleep/rest timing can mitigate these effects.
Female nightshift healthcare workers will be recruited to participate in a randomized crossover trial in which participants will be expected to follow the prescribed lifestyle intervention for eight weeks during the first or second eight-week periods of the study.
Clinical assessments will include DEXA, phlebotomy, questionnaires, and stool collection, which will be completed at weeks 0, 8, and 16 to assess changes in metabolic health and quality of life. Four days of 24-hour dietary recalls will be collected at baseline, and weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16. Garmin Vivofit4 activity trackers will be provided to all participants at baseline, and participants will be reminded to sync the devices once weekly at minimum.
During the 8-week intervention phase, participants will receive guidance on when and what to eat and when to sleep and be physically active. Additionally, participants will be provided with whey protein isolate powder and grain-based snack bars to be consumed primarily during work shifts. Lean body mass (kg) will be used to prescribe total caloric (~30kcal/kg lean mass) and protein (2g/kg lean mass) needs and sleep/rest goals will be 6-8 hours per 24 hour "day."
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: