Working the night shift ‘increases your risk of obesity by a THIRD’

NIGHT shift workers are almost a third more likely to be obese, ­raising the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, research shows

They are also more than a third more likely to be apple-shaped, which means they have the most dangerous type of belly fat.

Those on permanent nights were most affected compared with those with rotating shifts.

But researchers said altering work patterns to avoid prolonged unsocial hours might help reduce the problem.

One in eight British employees work nights with women mostly working in nursing and the care sector while men more likely to have jobs in security, policing and transport.

The research, using data from 28 previous studies, found night workers were 29 per cent more likely to be obese.

They were 35 per cent more likely to have dangerous abdominal fat.

The Hong Kong researchers say exposure to artificial light disturbs the natural body clock.

This affects production of the hormone melatonin, which helps to regulate metabolism.

Sleeping during the day also burns fewer calories than during the night, they point out.

Researcher Professor Shelly Lap-ah Tse said: “Modification of working schedules to avoid prolonged exposure to long-term night shift work might be an efficient control to reduce the risk of obesity.”