Assessment of Habitual Dietary Intake of Firefighters: A Pilot Study

Pohle-Krauza, Rachael J.; Bader, Eric; McCarroll, Michele L.; Kerns, G. Jay; Carey, Megan E

doi:10.1016/j.jada.2008.06.057

Cited by 2 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…Similar results were observed with previous research in firefighters regarding nutrient intake using FFQ. Pohle-Krauza et al [ 7 ] found high levels of sodium and low levels of fiber consumption compared to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans [ 20 ]. In the current study, firefighters had high levels of sodium intake and low levels of fiber, according to the MDRI standards [ 5 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To date, most studies have analyzed firefighters’ nutritional intake using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Very few have used three-day food records, and they also have small sample sizes [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Three-day food records are deemed valid for average intakes when compared to longer durations, and reduce survey fatigue [ 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluating Nutrient Intake of Career Firefighters Compared to Military Dietary Reference Intakes

Johnson

Mayer

2020

Nutrients

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The primary goals of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) are to plan and assess nutrient intakes to promote health, reduce chronic disease, and prevent toxicity. Firefighters have unique nutrient needs compared to the public due to their job demands. The military provides the only published guidance for tactical athletes’ nutrient needs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether firefighters were meeting the Military Dietary Reference Intakes (MDRI). A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of career firefighters (n = 150, 37.4 ± 8.4 year-old males) employed in Southern California. Data were gathered during baseline assessments from a Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded Firefighter Wellness Initiative. Participants were asked to log their food and beverage consumption over a 72-h period. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, 95% confidence intervals) were calculated for all participant characteristics and average three-day nutrient intakes. A 95% confidence interval compared their nutrient intake to MDRI to identify differences in nutrient intakes, significance accepted at p = 0.05. Compared to MDRI reference values, firefighters consumed an inadequate amount of total calories, linolenic and alpha-linolenic fatty acid, fiber, vitamins D, E, and K, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and carbohydrates. Vitamin D, magnesium, and potassium had the greatest shortcomings (95.3%, 94.0%, and 98.7%, respectively, under MRDA). Thus, firefighters are not meeting the established MDRI for several key nutrients required to promote health, improve performance, and reduce chronic disease. Dietitians and health care providers may use the results of this study to help design health promotion programs for this population. Future research should develop a customized reference intake for firefighters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Nutrient Intake of Career Firefighters Compared to Military Dietary Reference Intakes

Johnson

Mayer

2020

Nutrients

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Obese firefighters have higher rates of musculoskeletal injury than normal BMI colleagues (Kuehl et al, 2013;Jahnke et al, 2013). The few nutrition studies in firefighter populations found an under consumption of nutrient-dense foods (Pohle-Krauza et al, 2008;Robertson et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, studies found inadequate energy intake during fire rescue days and overall, lacking nutrient dense foods (Robertson et al, 2017). Another pilot study found high levels of sodium and low levels of fiber compared to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) using Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) (Pohle-Krauza et al, 2008). Protein intake from self-reported 3-Day Food Records in overweight and obese career firefighters averaged 17% of total calories.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most studies have analyzed firefighters' nutritional intake using FFQ. Very few have used 3-Day Food Records and have small sample sizes (Robertson et al, 2017;Elsner & Kolkhorst, 2008;Pohle-Krauza et al, 2008). Research studies conducted more than 10 years ago need to be reconsidered due to the ever-changing food and nutrition industry, specifically in the last 10 years (James et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Preliminary development of a tactical athlete nutrition score

Johnson

Mayer

2020

Jkinwellness

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Tactical athletes are at high risk for numerous conditions that are susceptible to nutritional intake. However, nutrition risk assessments in tactical athletes are not routinely implemented. The purpose of this paper was to describe preliminary development of the Tactical Athlete Nutrition Score (TANS). A cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenience sample of career firefighters (N = 150, all males) in southern California. Participants completed a 3-Day Food Record and other health-related questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements. The TANS was developed through best available evidence, observations, and an expert judgment exercise. The TANS include five variables: total energy, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, total sugar, and fruit and vegetable consumption. Risk levels were quantified according to data from these categories and analyzed accordingly. The TANS appeared to effectively differentiate individuals based on nutrition risk, with separation observed among the TANS risk levels – low risk (n = 7), moderate risk (n = 77), high risk (n = 66). One-way analysis of variance revealed significant difference among the risk categories for the five nutrition variables and TANS total (p < 0.001). The observed risk categories are plausible based on knowledge of this population. This study suggests the TANS is feasible to proceed to full-scale validation research trials. If validity is established, TANS will contribute to assessing nutrition risk level and improving nutrition interventions among tactical athletes.

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Assessment of Habitual Dietary Intake of Firefighters: A Pilot Study

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Evaluating Nutrient Intake of Career Firefighters Compared to Military Dietary Reference Intakes

Evaluating Nutrient Intake of Career Firefighters Compared to Military Dietary Reference Intakes

Preliminary development of a tactical athlete nutrition score

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