The information comes from research by safefood.

People who do shifts sleep less, eat worse food and smoke more than their counterparts who work regular hours according to research by safefood. Those workers who operate outside of the standard 9am to 5pm working day reported lack of breaks; shift patterns; poor availability of food; inadequate canteen opening times; and tiredness due to long working hours as the reasons why they lead less healthy lifestyles. According to the study, one in three shift workers was a smoker, which is significantly higher than among the 'regular hours' workforce. Men reported worse dietary habits than women, and were more likely to be overweight.

Ray Dolan, CEO safefood said: "It has been long assumed that shift work has a negative impact on people’s health and increases the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. With the publication of this research, we’re beginning to address an important gap in our knowledge of both the barriers and potential public health interventions to improving the food and related lifestyle habits of people working shifts."

There are a number of issues from the study that safefood believe need to be addressed, in order to stave off the threat of heart disease and cancer. “Smoking and a smoking culture at work are related to poor dietary habits and this research backs the need for workplace initiatives to help with smoking cessation," said Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, Director, Human Health & Nutrition. "The role of employers in these issues can’t be underestimated. Shift workers deserve improved eating facilities, whether that’s canteens, work kitchens or healthier vending machines, and reasonable time to take breaks. "Both parties have a stake in having a healthier workforce and the benefits that brings.”