Exploration of the individual, social and environmental factors influencing dietary behaviour in shift workers with type 2 diabetes working in UK healthcare—The Shift-Diabetes Study: A qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework

TY - JOUR

T1 - Exploration of the individual, social and environmental factors influencing dietary behaviour in shift workers with type 2 diabetes working in UK healthcare—The Shift-Diabetes Study

T2 - A qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework

AU - Gibson, Rachel

AU - D'Annibale, Maria

AU - Oliver, Nick

AU - McGowan, Barbara

AU - Forbes, Gillian

AU - Crayton, Elise

AU - Guess, Nicola

AU - Lorencatto, Fabiana

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Diabetes UK.

PY - 2024/2

Y1 - 2024/2

N2 - Aim: To identify factors influencing dietary behaviour in shift workers with type 2 diabetes (T2D) working in UK healthcare settings. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews based on the theoretical domains framework (TDF) were conducted with a convenience sample (n = 15) of shift workers (32–59 years) diagnosed with T2D who worked night shifts as part of a mixed shift schedule. The TDF was applied to analyse transcripts using a combined deductive framework and inductive thematic analysis approach. Identified influences were mapped to the behaviour change technique taxonomy to identify potential strategies to change dietary behaviour in this context. Results: Key barriers to healthy dietary behaviours were access and cost of food available during night work (TDF domain: Environment Context and Resources). Factors identified as both enablers and barriers included: availability of staff facilities and time to take a break, (Environment Context and Resources), the physical impact of night work (Beliefs About Consequences), eating in response to stress or tiredness (Emotion), advance planning of meals/food and taking own food to work (Behavioural Regulation). Potential techniques to address these influences and improve dietary behaviour in this context include: meal planning templates, self-monitoring and biofeedback, and increasing accessibility and availability of healthier food choices during night shifts. Conclusions: The dietary behaviour of shift workers with T2D is influenced by interacting individual, socio-cultural and environmental factors. Intervention should focus on environmental restructuring and strategies that enable monitoring and meal planning.

AB - Aim: To identify factors influencing dietary behaviour in shift workers with type 2 diabetes (T2D) working in UK healthcare settings. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews based on the theoretical domains framework (TDF) were conducted with a convenience sample (n = 15) of shift workers (32–59 years) diagnosed with T2D who worked night shifts as part of a mixed shift schedule. The TDF was applied to analyse transcripts using a combined deductive framework and inductive thematic analysis approach. Identified influences were mapped to the behaviour change technique taxonomy to identify potential strategies to change dietary behaviour in this context. Results: Key barriers to healthy dietary behaviours were access and cost of food available during night work (TDF domain: Environment Context and Resources). Factors identified as both enablers and barriers included: availability of staff facilities and time to take a break, (Environment Context and Resources), the physical impact of night work (Beliefs About Consequences), eating in response to stress or tiredness (Emotion), advance planning of meals/food and taking own food to work (Behavioural Regulation). Potential techniques to address these influences and improve dietary behaviour in this context include: meal planning templates, self-monitoring and biofeedback, and increasing accessibility and availability of healthier food choices during night shifts. Conclusions: The dietary behaviour of shift workers with T2D is influenced by interacting individual, socio-cultural and environmental factors. Intervention should focus on environmental restructuring and strategies that enable monitoring and meal planning.

KW - healthcare employees

KW - shift work

KW - theoretical domains framework

KW - type 2 diabetes

KW - workplace

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85165258301

U2 - 10.1111/dme.15179

DO - 10.1111/dme.15179

M3 - Article

C2 - 37452826

AN - SCOPUS:85165258301

SN - 0742-3071

VL - 41

JO - Diabetic Medicine

JF - Diabetic Medicine

IS - 2

M1 - e15179

ER -