Association of Shift Work with TyG Index (Insulin Resistance) in Male Workers
Summary
This cross-sectional study analyzed health records from over 3,000 male workers in a Korean chemical plant to see if shift work was linked to insulin resistance, using the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index as a marker. Researchers compared day workers with night or rotating shift workers, focusing on whether workers had TyG values above 4.69, a level linked to higher diabetes risk. After adjusting for age, obesity, smoking, drinking, and other health factors, shift workers had about 22% higher odds of crossing this risk threshold. The findings suggest that shift work is associated with early metabolic changes that may raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
For people working nights, this study highlights a potential hidden risk: even if you’re the same age, weight, and lifestyle profile as a day worker, your work schedule may still raise the odds of having early warning signs of diabetes. The TyG index is simple to check with routine blood tests, meaning night-shift workers can track their metabolic health without extra procedures. While this research doesn’t prove shift work directly causes insulin resistance, it reinforces the importance of regular health monitoring, balanced eating, and recovery routines to protect long-term blood sugar control.
Notes
Open access.