Why shift work might make women more likely to get diabetes
Association between shift work and insulin resistance in women: Implications for metabolic health
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Former smokers on shift work had the highest risk (OR=2.58) — higher than current smokers or never-smokers.
Most assume smoking is the main metabolic threat — but this shows quitting doesn’t fix the damage if circadian disruption continues, suggesting shift work may override the benefits of quitting.
Practical Takeaways
If you're a woman over 40 who works nights, ask your doctor to calculate your TyG index from your last blood test — if it’s above 8.35, you’re at elevated risk.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Former smokers on shift work had the highest risk (OR=2.58) — higher than current smokers or never-smokers.
Most assume smoking is the main metabolic threat — but this shows quitting doesn’t fix the damage if circadian disruption continues, suggesting shift work may override the benefits of quitting.
Practical Takeaways
If you're a woman over 40 who works nights, ask your doctor to calculate your TyG index from your last blood test — if it’s above 8.35, you’re at elevated risk.
Publication
Journal
PLOS One
Year
2025
Authors
You-Jung Choi, Soo Hyeon Cho, Ja-Ho Leigh, Sung Hoon Jeong
Related Content
Claims (6)
Working irregular hours or not sleeping well can mess up your body’s internal clock, which in turn hurts your metabolism and liver — making it harder for your body to process food and stay healthy.
Korean women in their 40s who work nights or irregular shifts are almost twice as likely to have high insulin resistance — a sign their body isn’t using sugar properly — compared to those who work regular daytime hours.
Women in Korea who work non-traditional hours like nights or rotating shifts are 30% more likely to have higher insulin resistance — a sign their body isn’t using sugar properly — even when you account for their weight, diet, and income, which might mean their work schedule is hurting their metabolism.
Korean women who are overweight and work nights or rotating shifts are much more likely to have high insulin levels than overweight women who work regular daytime hours, which might mean their bodies have a harder time managing blood sugar.
Doctors can use a simple calculation from two common blood tests — triglycerides and glucose — to tell if Korean women of working age might have insulin resistance, and if the number is above 8.35, it means they’re at higher risk.