Food consumption patterns and cardiovascular risk among shift workers: A NOVA-based approach

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association between food consumption, by extent and purpose of processing, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among rotating shift workers. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 213 male shift workers. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour recall method conducted by trained interviewers. Food items were classified using two approaches: the first was based on the quantity consumed from each food group. Fruits and vegetables (FV) intake, is classified as recommended at 400g per day by WHO guidelines. Ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) were analyzed based on tertiles of daily caloric contribution. The second approach, the NOVA dietary diversity score (DDS-NOVA) assessed the variety of consumed items within each food group, assigning points for each unique item consumed, irrespective of quantity or frequency. The CVD risk was evaluated using the Framingham coronary heart disease risk score (FCRS), categorizing participants as low risk (<5%) or intermediate to high risk (>5%). Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate logistic regression were used. Results: CVD-risk was classified as high in 43.7%. In the multivariate model, the recommended consumption of FV was associated with a lower chance of high CVD-risk (OR:0.47;95%CI:0.23-0.98), and there was no association between the amount of UPF consumption and CVD-risk. In terms of variety, fresh-food consumption was associated with a lower chance of high CVD-risk (OR:0.67;95%CI:0.23-0.98), and UPF consumption was associated with higher CVD-risk (OR:1.30;95%CI:1.12-1.87). Conclusion: Consumption of both variety and quantity of fresh-foods was associated with a lower chance of CVD-risk, while a variety of consumption of UPF items increased this chance.