International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 5 authors, 3 centres
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This longitudinal study of 218 hospital workers in Brazil examined changes in occupational stress and dietary patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that while occupational stress increased, it was not associated with dietary pattern changes; however, COVID-19 infection and shift work were linked to specific dietary pattern shifts, with limitations including convenience sampling and self-reported infection.
Occupational stress in hospital workers, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, may affect dietary patterns, but longitudinal evidence is limited. This study aimed to assess changes in occupational stress and dietary patterns before and during the pandemic. Methods: A longitudinal cohort study of 218 workers at a private hospital in Brazil, with data collected in 2019 (baseline) and 2020 (follow-up). Occupational stress was measured using the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), and dietary patterns were identified via factor analysis of food frequency questionnaire data. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models were used to analyze associations. Key Results: Occupational stress increased from 14.20% to 29.40% during the pandemic. Three dietary patterns were identified at both time points, explaining 45.51% and 44.47% of variance. No significant association was found between occupational stress and changes in dietary patterns. However, COVID-19 infection was associated with changes in pattern A (coefficient 0.684, 95%CI 0.079; 1.290, p=0.027), and shift work with pattern B (coefficient 0.650, 95%CI 0.053; 1.248, p=0.033). Limitations: Convenience sampling and self-reported COVID-19 infection may introduce bias. Implications: Findings highlight the need for workplace interventions to manage stressors like shift work and promote healthy eating among hospital workers, especially during pandemics.
