Abstract

Food and recuperation has a superior importance in human life and it is hard to deny the

distinction of the food in everyday life. Nutritious food gives energy to benefit activities

of the day and influences on behavior and performance as well as well being. The

meaning of the terms meal and mealtime are key concepts in this study and the several

beneficial aspects beyond the physiological function. Inadequate time for the meal

might provide degenerative consequences for individual health and generate outgoings

for society. The aim of this study was that from an individual perspective describe work

environment conditions for meals and recovery potential among employees with

irregular working hours using mixed methods with both questionnaire and interviews.

Four (4) airline employees participated. Result from this study demonstrated that airline

employees, especially cabin crew, rarely could effect on the surrounding environment of

the meal. The participants indicated the irregularity of the meals and meal patterns at

work along with constant time pressure and economic directives as the main underlying

factors from their perspective. The study concluded that the time, place and money

dictated the terms of the mealtime and that the potential of recovery was virtually

nonexistent.

Keywords: meal, eating habits, shift work, health promotion, recovery/recuperation