This article reviews the literature regarding night work and appetite-regulating hormones, contemplating the impact that shift work has on this specific population’s health. A systematic literature search was conducted in relevant literature databases was conducted in the range of the last ten years. Several studies have reported association between chronobiological dysregulation of night work and changes in serum levels of leptin and ghrelin, as well as the impact that sleep debt could exert on these individuals’ health, since modifying the usual pattern of sleep clearly exerts activity on the metabolic system and endocrine function, decreasing glucose tolerance and increasing overweight and obesity risk, thus predisposing to cardiovascular disease. However, more studies are needed to estimate the amount of time safe to pursue a profession in the night shift, and also more clinical research that investigate the association between night shift and serum levels of hormones related to appetite regulation to better clarify this issue.
