Lifestyle behaviours and perceived well-being in different fire service roles

Turner, Philip J.; Siddall, Andrew G.; Stevenson, R. M.; Standage, Martyn; Bilzon, James L. J.

doi:10.1093/occmed/kqy110

Cited by 5 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Furthermore, recent research has shown that the way in which firefighters view health-related factors such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and their overall health is due is associated with the intense physical nature of the job as members use their performance abilities on the job as a gauge for their health (27). Firefighters are in a physically demanding job, therefore, if they can perform their job effectively they may feel as though they are in proper physical shape regardless of their actual condition (28). Therefore, it is important for departments to insert preventative measures like regular fitness assessments, dietary, and sleep guidance in order to ensure the members are at optimum levels of overall health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Obesity in the fire service: An inside look at the perceptions of firefighters towards obesity and other health issues

Bucala

Sweet

2019

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Despite being an extremely physically demanding job, there exists a high prevalence of obesity for members of the fire service nationally based on recent studies. The fire service has a unique culture and environment that likely influences behaviors and attitudes among the members, and in turn impacts their health.Objectives Based on previous research we hypothesized that cultural and structural aspects of the fire service contribute to the rise in obesity among its members. The primary aims of this research project were: (1) to determine the current extent, or prevalence, of obesity among members of a large eastern US fire department (“X Fire Department”), and (2) to elucidate aspects of the physical and cultural environment that may contribute to obesity risk among members (specifically, diet, exercise, and sleep). Methods This two-phase, mixed-methods study involved conducting qualitative interviews with (n=17) members of the X Fire Department (Phase I) and collecting online questionnaire data (n=120) from a broader department-wide sample of 1,400 active members.Results The data gathered in Phase II indicated that out of the (n=120) members that participated in the study the average BMI was 29 with approximately 40% of the respondents falling into the category of obese. The data indicated that while overall diet and exercise has improved in the department in recent years there are still factors impacting the diet, exercise, and sleep levels of the members that contribute to risk for obesity and other adverse health conditions.Conclusion There are factors in the X Fire Department that are negatively impacting the members’ ability to eat, exercise, and sleep properly, which in turn we believe is directly attributable to the high percentage of obesity in our study. Our hope is that this research will highlight the areas that require immediate action and to add to existing research in order to instill in a change in other fire departments nationally.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Obesity in the fire service: An inside look at the perceptions of firefighters towards obesity and other health issues

Bucala

Sweet

2019

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The link to the survey was opened 3063 times indicating a 73% response rate. Although not included here, the survey also gathered self-reported data on nutrition and sleep behavior (see Turner et al 2018). Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the University of Bath's Research Ethics Approval Committee for Health (Reference Number: EP 12/13 6).…”

Section: Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The interplay between psychological need satisfaction and psychological need frustration within a work context: A variable and person-oriented approach

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A plethora of empirical data support a positive (or "brighter") pathway to optimal human functioning as specified within Basic Psychological Needs Theory (Ryan and Deci in Psychol Inq 11(4):319-33, 2000). Yet, far less is known about the negative (or "darker") pathway, a process evoking of human dysfunction and ill-being (cf. Vansteenkiste and Ryan in J Psychother Integr 23(3):263, 2013). Further, debate surrounds the independence and interplay between psychological need satisfaction and psychological need frustration and how these dynamic constructs are experienced within individuals. In this work, variable and person-oriented analyses were employed to: (i) investigate the relationships between the basic psychological needs and symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety as well as with life satisfaction; and (ii) identify different psychological need profiles and their relationship with psychological function. Participants (N = 2236; M Age = 42.16 years; SD = 7.8) were UK-based operational firefighters who completed an online survey. Results of regression analyses showed a moderating effect of psychological need satisfaction on the relationship between need frustration and negative psychological symptoms. Latent profile analyses revealed five distinct basic psychological need profiles that carry implications for human psychological functioning. Some support for an asymmetrical relationship between need satisfaction and need frustration emerged (Vansteenkiste and Ryan in J Psychother Integr 23(3):263, 2013), yet, examples of above average need satisfaction and frustration scores were also observed. Worker profiles where psychological need frustration prevailed over need satisfaction had the poorest psychological health.

show abstract

“…Nowadays, poor sleep hygiene may be caused by insufficient hours of sleep, long working hours, shift work, frequent awakenings, disordered breathing, difficulty falling asleep, low sleep efficiency, feelings of day-time sleepiness, sleep medication, and artificial light (Frost et al 2021 ; Mollayeva et al 2016 ; Morales et al 2022 ). It was shown that sleep quality and well-being may be negatively affected by prolonged periods of shift working (Turner et al 2018 ). Decrease in resting metabolic rate and altered blood glucose concentrations (Buxton et al 2012 ; Turner et al 2018 ), as well as fatigue-induced reductions in physical activity in shift workers may lead to being overweight and obese (Turner et al 2018 ; Romero Cabrera et al 2021 ).…”

Section: Airway and Systemic Inflammation In Firefightersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was shown that sleep quality and well-being may be negatively affected by prolonged periods of shift working (Turner et al 2018 ). Decrease in resting metabolic rate and altered blood glucose concentrations (Buxton et al 2012 ; Turner et al 2018 ), as well as fatigue-induced reductions in physical activity in shift workers may lead to being overweight and obese (Turner et al 2018 ; Romero Cabrera et al 2021 ). Night-shift workers were also exposed to artificial light, especially the blue spectrum.…”

Section: Airway and Systemic Inflammation In Firefightersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Poland, 5% of firefighters were obese, 42% were overweight and 53% had normal weight (Nowak et al 2018 ). In turn, 55.1% of male UK firefighters were overweight, 16.3% were obese and 28.6% had normal weight (Turner et al 2018 ). Studies of obese workers (not only in the fire department) showed an increased rate of diseases and injuries, workers’ compensation claims and absenteeism rate, lower productivity at work (work performance), higher work limitations, early retirement, and increased mortality (Kuehl et al 2012 ).…”

Section: Airway and Systemic Inflammation In Firefightersmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Lifestyle and environmental factors may induce airway and systemic inflammation in firefighters

Orysiak

Młynarczyk

Piec

et al. 2022

Environ Sci Pollut Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Health status depends on multiple genetic and non-genetic factors. Nonheritable factors (such as lifestyle and environmental factors) have stronger impact on immune responses than genetic factors. Firefighters work is associated with exposure to air pollution and heat stress, as well as: extreme physical effort, mental stress, or a changed circadian rhythm, among others. All these factors can contribute to both, short-term and long-term impairment of the physical and mental health of firefighters. Increased levels of some inflammatory markers, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines or C-reactive protein (CRP) have been observed in firefighters, which can lead to local, acute inflammation that promotes a systemic inflammatory response. It is worth emphasizing that inflammation is one of the main hallmarks of cancer and also plays a key role in the development of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. This article presents possible causes of the development of an inflammatory reaction in firefighters, with particular emphasis on airway inflammation caused by smoke exposure.

show abstract

Lifestyle behaviours and perceived well-being in different fire service roles

Abstract: FF reported the highest levels of PA and highest perceptions of well-being, and the lowest prevalence of obesity and chronic medical conditions, compared with other FRS occupational groups. These findings may be used to inform FRS workplace intervention strategies.

Cited by 5 publications

References 26 publications

Obesity in the fire service: An inside look at the perceptions of firefighters towards obesity and other health issues

Obesity in the fire service: An inside look at the perceptions of firefighters towards obesity and other health issues

The interplay between psychological need satisfaction and psychological need frustration within a work context: A variable and person-oriented approach

Lifestyle and environmental factors may induce airway and systemic inflammation in firefighters

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About