Author(s): Ragini Ranawat and Dr. Renu Mogra

Abstract:
Industrialization has been recognized as the main solution to the problem of unemployment in developing countries like India, in recent years. There has been a steady increase in the number of persons employed in various factories, over the past few years. Although malnutrition has been known to be a major public health problem in developing countries, data on nutritional status of factory workers are lacking. Therefore the objective of the present study was to probe through the food habits, food consumption pattern, nutrient intake and health problems of male workers of textile industries in relation to shift work. One hundred and fifty male textile industry workers (aged 20-40 years) with equal numbers working in day and night shift were studied. Results of anthropometric measurements showed that day shift subjects had a comparatively higher body mass index and waist hip ratio than night shift subjects. Food intake revealed that day shift subjects had a higher intake of vegetables and fruits along with fats and oils whereas night shift subjects had a higher consumption of milk and sugars. Results on nutrient intake showed that day shift subjects had a significantly higher intake of fat, energy, folic acid, iron, β – carotene and zinc. Additionally, the food consumption habits of subjects showed that the preference of ghee, meats and fried foods was found to be higher in day shift subjects whereas tea intake was more prevalent in night shift subjects. Alcohol intake was also higher in day workers. Health problems regarding to gastrointestinal tract like constipation, heart burn, flatulence, disturbed appetite etc. were comparatively more prevalent in night shift subjects whereas problems like chest pain, short breath and swollen feet were found more in day shift subjects.