Eating behaviors in sailors of the United States Navy: Meal-to-sleep intervals
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Authors
Shattuck, Nita Lewis
Matsangas, Panagiotis
Subjects
Meal-to-sleep intervals
dietary patterns of sailors
naval operational environment
circadian rhythms
dietary patterns of sailors
naval operational environment
circadian rhythms
Advisors
Date of Issue
2021
Date
Publisher
Sage
Language
Abstract
Background: Due to their long workdays and erratic watch schedules, sailors on United States Navy (USN) ships often
eat meals close to their bedtime, which may contribute to sleep disruption. Aim: To assess the duration of meal-to-sleep
(M-S) intervals in relation to timing of sailor workdays and watch schedules. Methods: Longitudinal field assessment of
USN sailors performing their underway duties (N ¼ 234). Participants completed questionnaires, wore actigraphs, and
completed activity logs. Results: Approximately 35% of M-S intervals were <3 h in duration. M-S interval duration was
associated with watchstanding status (p < 0.001) and the number of sections in the watchstanding schedule (p < 0.001).
Sailors on the two-section watch schedule had, on average, the shortest M-S intervals (55 min) compared to sailors on
three- or four-section watchbills (*4 h) and to non-watchstanders (4.85 h). Conclusion: Sailors on two-section
watchbills often eat quite close to bedtime. To provide appropriate recommendations regarding healthy dietary patterns,
we will continue assessing dietary behaviors and food choices of sailors while underway, especially as they relate to
sailor work hours, circadian rhythms, and sleep practices.
Type
Article
Description
17 USC 105 interim-entered record; under review.
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0260106020960878
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0260106020960878
Series/Report No
Department
Operations Research (OR)
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
U.S. Government affiliation is unstated in article text.
Format
6 p.
Citation
Shattuck, Nita Lewis, and Panagiotis Matsangas. "Eating behaviors in sailors of the United States Navy: Meal-to-sleep intervals." Nutrition and Health 27.1 (2021): 3-8.
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.