Article
Details
Citation
Allan J, Sadko K, Bell C & Johnston D (2019) How many calories do nurses burn at work? A real-time study of nurses' energy expenditure. Journal of Research in Nursing, 24 (7), pp. 488-197. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987119837586
Abstract
Background
Nurses have high rates of overweight and obesity, and physical inactivity is one key determinant of weight gain.
Aims
The present study aims to quantify nurses' energy expenditure over a standard 12-hour shift to establish whether activity levels at work are too low to maintain a healthy body weight.
Methods
Ward-based nurses (n?=?96, 90 female, mean age?=?36 years, mean experience?=?10 years, mean body mass index?=?26.6) wore heart rate and physical activity monitors for the duration of one full working shift. Heart rate and activity data were used in combination with demographic information to estimate each nurse's energy expenditure over 12 hours.
Results
On average, nurses burned 2.12?kcals per minute while at work, equating to 1521?kcals/6364?kJ (SD?=?403?kcals/1686?kJ) per 12-hour shift. Energy expenditure over 12 hours varied markedly between nurses (from 812?kcals/3397?kJ to 3005?kcals/12,573?kJ) but was sufficient in 72% of participants (assuming minimal resting levels of energy expenditure for the 12 hours not at work) to burn off a daily calorie intake of 2000?kcals.
Conclusions
Three-quarters of nurses expend more energy on working days than is required to maintain a healthy body weight if dietary intake does not exceed recommended levels.
Keywords
energy expenditure; exercise; nurses; obesity; physical activity
Journal
Journal of Research in Nursing: Volume 24, Issue 7
Status | Published |
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Funders | |
Publication date | 30/11/2019 |
Publication date online | 29/04/2019 |
Date accepted by journal | 01/01/2019 |
Publisher | Sage Publications |
ISSN | 1744-9871 |
eISSN | 1744-988X |
People (1)
Professor in Psychology, Psychology