Exploring Food Choice Challenges Among Nurses Working Graveyard Shifts in Metro Manila’s Business Process Outsourcing Sector
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2026.125Keywords:
Business Process Outsourcing, Dietary promotional videos, Food choices, Graveyard shift workers, Social mediaAbstract
This study examined the food choice challenges of registered nurses working graveyard shifts in Metro Manila’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, focusing on their exposure to short-form dietary videos. While previous studies have explored the dietary struggles of night shift workers, little research has addressed how digital media consumption intersects with occupational demands in shaping food behaviors. This study responds to that gap by employing a qualitative, descriptive research design. Eight registered nurses from BPO companies in Metro Manila were selected through purposive sampling, and data were collected via online semi structured interviews. Thematic analysis was utilized to interpret responses. Results revealed four major themes: (1) limited access to healthy food options, (2) work-related time and environmental constraints, (3) physiological and behavioral impacts of graveyard shifts, and (4) the influence of short-form dietary videos, which acted both as triggers for cravings and as sources of mixed nutritional guidance. Participants consistently described how irregular schedules, fatigue, and restricted food environments led to reliance on fast food and convenience items, while visually appealing online content often intensified cravings or encouraged impulsive eating. At the same time, some videos provided useful dietary tips, though discerning credible information remained a challenge. The study concludes that targeted nutrition education, workplace support, and evidence-based digital health promotion are vital for encouraging healthier eating among graveyard-shift nurses in the BPO sector. By addressing both occupational and media-related influences, stakeholders can better support the health, productivity, and long-term well-being of this workforce.
Downloads
References
Amson, A., Bagnato, M., Remedios, L., Pritchard, M., Sabir, S., Gillis, G., & Potvin Kent, M. (2025). Beyond the screen: Exploring the dynamics of social media influencers, digital food marketing, and gendered influences on adolescent diets. PLOS Digital Health, 4(2), e0000729. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000729
Ausat, A.M.A. (2023). The role of social media in shaping public opinion and its influence on economic decisions. Technology and Society Perspectives (TACIT), 1(1), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.61100/tacit.v1i1.37
Baldueza, J.R. (2023). Work environment and career advancement among nurses employed in selected business process outsourcing (BPO) healthcare industry in Metro Manila. HERDIN. https://tinyurl.com/4ct6h49j
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11, 589–597.
https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806
Chen, P.-J., & Antonelli, M. (2020). Conceptual models of food choice: Influential factors related to foods, individual differences, and society. Foods, 9(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9121898
Cheng, W., Liu, C., Hu, K., Cheng, Y., Karhula, K., & Harma, M. (2022). Night shift work and the risk of metabolic syndrome: Findings from 8-year hospital cohort. PLOS One, 16(12), e0261349. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261349
Coates, A., Hardman, C., Halford, J., Christiansen, P., & Boyland, E. (2019). Food and beverage cues featured in YouTube videos of social media influencers popular with children: An exploratory study. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2142. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02142
Corporate Finance Institute. (2023). Business process outsourcing (BPO): An overview. https://tinyurl.com/52cxsyk3
D’Souza-Rushton, G., Long, J., Denmon, A., Kris-Etherton, P., Petersen, K., & Masterson, T. (2025). Nutrition Education “Shorts”: The effect of short-form media on conveying information about improving diet quality. Nutrients, 17(10), 1612. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17101612
de Courville, M., Prokofieva, M., & Ghahramani, A. (2022). The potential of social media in health promotion beyond creating awareness: An integrative review. BMC Public Health, 22, 2402. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14885-0
Dias, C., & Dawson, R. (2020). Hospital and shift work influences on nurses’ dietary behaviors: A qualitative study. Workplace Health & Safety, 68(3), 121–129. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079919890351
Filippone, L., Shankland, R., & Hallez, Q. (2022). The relationships between social media exposure, food craving, cognitive impulsivity and cognitive restraint. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10, 184. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00698-4
Flanagan, A., Lowson, E., Arber, S., Griffin, B., & Skene, D. (2020). Dietary patterns of nurses on rotational shifts are marked by redistribution of energy into the nightshift. Nutrients, 12(4), 1053. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041053
Heiss, R., Nanz, A., & Matthes, J. (2023). Social media information literacy: Conceptualization and associations with information overload, news avoidance and conspiracy mentality. Computers in Human Behavior, 148(107908), 107908. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2023.107908
Helvaci, G., Çin, N.N.A., Canbulat, Ş., & Yardımcı, H. (2020). Evaluating diet and sleep quality of shift and non‐shift nurses using three‐factor Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Healthy Eating Index‐2015. Sleep Medicine Research, 11(2), 94–101. https://doi.org/10.17241/smr.2020.00682
Hocaoglu, D. (2024). Social media as a powerful tool for food preparation and gaining healthy eating habits. In EFOOD24: 4th International Food Design and Food Studies Conference, Experiencing and Envisioning Food: Designing for Phygital Food Systems, 7-9 November 2024, Elisava, Barcelona School of Design and Engineering, Spain.
Hollis, M., Turner, L., & Jones, K. (2021). Visual exposure to food cues in digital environments and subsequent eating behaviour: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Appetite, 159, 105059. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2020.105059
Hornzee, N., O’Connor, C., Byrne, N., & Whelan, M. (2020). A cross-sectional study examining the associations between shift work and diet quality. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 80(3), 222–229. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665121000252
Howe, S. (2025). Social media statistics in the Philippines [Updated 2025]. Meltwater. https://tinyurl.com/mw7hwt9k
Ismagilova, E., Slade, E., Rana, N., & Dwivedi, Y. (2020). The effect of characteristics of source credibility on consumer behaviour: A meta-analysis. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 53(1), 101736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2019.01.005
Iqbal, J., Yu, D., Zubair, M., Rasheed, M.I., Khizar, H.M.U., & Imran, M. (2021). Health consciousness, food safety concern, and consumer purchase intentions toward organic food: The role of consumer involvement and ecological motives. SAGE Open, 11(2), 215824402110157. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211015727
Jankowiak, S., Rossnagel, K., Bauer, J., Schulz, A., Liebers, F., Latza, U., Starke, K.R., Seidler, A., Nübling, M., Riechmann-Wolf, M., Letzel, S., Wild, P., Arnold, N., Beutel, M., Pfeiffer, N., Lackner, K., Münzel, T., Schulze, A., & Hegewald, J. (2024). Night shift work and cardiovascular diseases among employees in Germany: Five-year follow-up of the Gutenberg Health Study. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 50(3), 142–151. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.4139
Kosmadopoulos, A., Kervezee, L., Boudreau, P., Gonzales-Aste, F., Vujović, N., Scheer, F., & Boivin, D. (2020). Effects of shift work on the eating behavior of police officers on patrol. Nutrients, 12(4), 1044. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041044
Leung, G., Huggins, K., Bonham, M., & Kleve, S. (2023). Exploring Australian night shift workers’ food experiences within and outside of the workplace: A qualitative photovoice study. Public Health Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980023001519
Lin, T.-T., Park, C., Kapella, M.C., Martyn-Nemeth, P., Tussing-Humphreys, L., Rospenda, K.M., & Zenk, S.N. (2020). Shift work relationships with same- and subsequent-day empty calorie food and beverage consumption. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 46(6), 641–648. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3928
Ljubičić, M., Matek Sarić, M., Klarin, I., Rumbak, I., Colić Barić, I., Ranilović, J., Dželalija, B., Sarić, A., Nakić, D., Djekic, I., Korzeniowska, M., Bartkiene, E., Papageorgiou, M., Tarcea, M., Černelič-Bizjak, M., Klava, D., Szűcs, V., Vittadini, E., Bolhuis, D., & Guiné, R. (2023). Emotions and food consumption: Emotional eating behavior in a European population. Foods, 12(4), 872. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12040872
Mantzorou, M., Economou, M., Kalokerinou, A., Sourtzi, P., Zyga, S., Politis, A., & Koukia, E. (2020b). Exploration of the relationship between stigma and burnout among Greek nurses in dementia care. Journal of Nursing Management, 28(3), 615–624. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jonm.12964
Marot, L.P., Lopes, T.V.C., Balieiro, L.C., Crispim, C.A., & Moreno, C.R. (2023). Impact of nighttime food consumption and feasibility of fasting during night work: A narrative review. Nutrients, 15(11), 2570. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15112570
Matysiak, S. (2024). Mealtime hacks for shift workers. Healthline. https://tinyurl.com/4x6447hx
McLeod, S. (2024). Thematic analysis: A step by step guide. ResearchGate. https://tinyurl.com/3sjmtvyf
Migdanis, A., Tsolis, K., Migdanis, I., Kaltsa, A., Fytsilis, F., Manouras, A., Androutsos, O., & Kapsoritakis, A. (2024). The effect of shift working on dietary patterns of healthcare practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. Medicina, 60(4), 627. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60040627
Ngqangashe, Y., & De Backer, C. (2021). The differential effects of viewing short-form online culinary videos of fruits and vegetables versus sweet snacks on adolescents’ appetites. Appetite, 166, 105436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105436
Patil, U., Kostareva, U., Hadley, M., Manganello, J., Okan, O., Dadaczynski, K., Massey, P., Agner, J., & Sentell, T. (2021). Health literacy, digital health literacy, and COVID-19 pandemic attitudes and behaviors in U.S. college students: Implications for interventions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 3301. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063301
Respicio, R. (2024). Labor rights and fair compensation for night workers: Policy implications in the Philippines. Journal of Labor Policy Studies, 12(1), 45–60.
Robinson, E., Hardman, C.A., Jones, A., Christiansen, P., Field, M., & Higgs, S. (2020). Visual exposure to palatable food increases subsequent consumption: A systematic review and meta-analysis of laboratory studies. Appetite, 155, 104813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2020.104813
Salomao, A. (2023). Semi-structured interviews in qualitative research. Mind the Graph. https://mindthegraph.com/blog/correlational-research/
Satı, A., & Kazancoglu, I. (2020). The effect of food influencers on consumers’ intention to purchase food products/services. Journal of Gastronomy Hospitality and Travel (joghat). 3. 150–163. https://doi.org/10.33083/joghat.2020.40
Sum, K., Cheshire, A., Ridge, D., Sengupta, D., & Deb, S. (2024). Doctors’ and nurses’ eating practices during shift work: Findings from a qualitative study. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 83(OCE2), E204. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665124004282
Tang, H., Smith, A., & van Sluijs, E. (2023). The impact of social media interventions on eating behaviours and diet in adolescents and young adults: A mixed-methods systematic review. BMJ Open, 14(4), e083465. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083465
Tang, R. (2024). Philippine outsourcing statistics (2024). https://tinyurl.com/38vkrtd4
Tazeoğlu, A., & Bozdogan, F. (2022). The effect of watching food videos on social media on increased appetite and food consumption. Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria, 42, 73–79. https://doi.org/10.12873/422tazeoglu
Tucker, S. (2020). Nursing, night shift, and nutrition. American Nurse. https://tinyurl.com/3cbrc8v6
Wolska, A., Stasiewicz, B., Kaźmierczak-Siedlecka, K., Ziętek, M., Solek-Pastuszka, J., Drozd, A., Palma, J., & Stachowska, E. (2022). Unhealthy food choices among healthcare shift workers: A cross-sectional study. Nutrients, 14(11), 2570.
Wu, Q., Sun, H., Wen, Z., Zhang, M., Wang, H., He, X., Jiang, Y., & Zhao, Y. (2022). Shift work and health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of epidemiological studies. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 18(2), 653–662. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.9642
Zeng, M., Grgurevic, J., Diyab, R., & Roy, R. (2025). #WhatIEatinaDay: The quality, accuracy, and engagement of nutrition content on TikTok. Nutrients, 17(5), 781. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050781
Zhang, Y., & Zhao, X. (2021). Effect of short video food marketing on impulse purchase intentions: The mediating role of food craving. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 45(3), 289–301. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12645
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
JIP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Under the Open Access Policy, appropriate attribution can be provided by simply citing the original article.
