Authors : M. Bharath Bala; R. Yogalakshmi; Dr. Muthu Gopal

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/ykft4a87

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3yfyxb6f

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec1203

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Background The transition to a 24-hour economy has necessitated a workforce that operates in opposition to endogenous circadian rhythms. Night shift work is increasingly recognized not merely as a logistical requirement but as a significant occupational health hazard associated with sleep disorders, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.  Methods A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases. The search targeted studies published between 2015 and 2025 focusing on "circadian misalignment," "night shift work," "chrononutrition," and "sleep quality." Special attention was given to recent data regarding Information Technology (IT) professionals and high-cognitive-demand sectors.  Results The literature consistently demonstrates a high prevalence of poor sleep quality among night shift workers, with recent cohort studies in IT sectors reporting prevalence rates as high as 100% (PSQI > 5). Evidence identifies a bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbance and maladaptive dietary behaviors, specifically increased food frequency and nocturnal snacking. Physiologically, this is driven by the desynchronization of the central suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and peripheral metabolic clocks, characterized by inverted leptin-ghrelin profiles and insulin resistance.  Discussion The core pathology of night shift work is chronic circadian misalignment. The negative correlation between food frequency and sleep quality suggests that "grazing" behaviors act as a zeitgeber that further desynchronizes peripheral clocks. Mitigation strategies must move beyond basic sleep hygiene to include organizational changes (forward-rotating schedules, spectral light management) and individual chrononutritional interventions (Early Time-Restricted Eating).  Conclusion Night shift work induces systemic physiological dysregulation. Future research must prioritize longitudinal studies to overcome the "healthy worker effect" and establish causal pathways for the metabolic risks observed.

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