Background: India is considered as “Diabetic Capital of the world”. Patients of diabetics are more prone to lipid abnormalities. Indian Work force undergo irregular duty hours which aggravate the co-morbidities of diabetes. To increase the productivity of the nation, work force ought to remain healthy. This is a high time to protect them in terms of health by screening and creating awareness regarding the lifestyle management.

Objectives: Sickness absenteeism is commonly observed in working environment. By promoting the health of  employees, we can prevent such events.

Materials and Methods: By adopting purposive random sampling method, about 200 diabetic subjects from ESIC Medical college and Hospital were selected (100 subjects from general shift and 100 subjects from rotation shift). Anthropometric profile and lipid profile were assessed and compared. Physical activity, dietary habits and personal habits were also taken into account. The obtained results were subjected to a statistical analysis.

Results: The Mean BMI was 26kg/m² and 29 kg/m² for general and shift workers, respectively. Total cholesterol was reported to be 186g/dl and 201g/dl for general shift workers and rotation shift workers, respectively. This observation was statistically significant. The respective LDL, VLDL, triglycerides levels were found to be 117g/dl, 32 g/dl, 161g/dl  for general shift workers and 125 g/dl, 37g/dl and 183g/dl  for rotation shift workers.

Conclusion: As per the proverb, “prevention is better than cure”, it is essential to prevent future cardiac complications by taking necessary precautionary measures to control the lipid abnormalities by balanced diet, adequate sleep, regular physical activity and monitoring the lipid profile.

Keywords: Lipid profile, Life style Modification, Diabetes, BMI.

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Dr S.Sivabalamurugan

Diabetologist, ESIC Medical College & Hospital, KK Nagar, Chennai, India