Anxiety, depression symptoms, and physical activity levels of eutrophic and excess-weight Brazilian elite police officers: a preliminary study

Abstract

BackgroundPolice officers are subjected to high work-related stress. This scenario of irregular and insalubrious working conditions may be related to an increase in psychiatric disorders and overweight. In particular, low levels of physical activity and high work stress levels may predispose police officers to obesity, poor lifestyles, and, consequently, major risk of psychological disorders. Thus, our aim was to profile the anxiety/depression symptoms and habitual physical activity (HPA) levels of Brazilian elite police officers classified by body mass index (BMI).Patients and methodsEighty-seven male police officers classified as normal-weight (NG, BMI =18.5–24.9 kg/m2, n=34) and excess-weight (EG, BMI ≥25 kg/m2, n=53) completed (before work routine time) the questionnaires: Baecke (HPA levels), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (anxiety), and Beck Depression Inventory (depression).ResultsThere was a slight trend (despite did not reach statistical significance) of the EG group (which have a significantly [P=0.0369] higher mean [8.8±7.6] of military service time [in years] when compared to NG group [5.8±6.0]) presenting higher values of anxiety-trait (+5.0%) and depression (+16.0%) and lower levels of leisure time HPA (–3.7%) than NG group.ConclusionAlthough our hypothesis was not ratified, our findings have clinical relevance because we profiled the anxiety and depression symptoms and HPA levels of elite police officers. Moreover, it is possible to suppose that the military service time (years) is a relevant factor, that it needs to be studied in depth, and that it may impact the predisposition for mood disorders and low levels of physical activity of police officers.

Educational Intervention Based on the Health Belief Model to Modify Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease in Police Officers in Iran: A Quasi-experimental Study

“…This finding was confirmed when participants were categorized into those who engaged in an adequate amount of moderate to vigorous PA based on WHO guidelines [32]. Furthermore, this observation is similar to those reported in other studies of PA in police officers [33,34]. The present educational intervention was most effective in increasing PA in participants, with a more than 25% change from baseline among participants in the high-risk category to the low-risk category.…”

Quality of life, health conditions and life style of civil police officers

“…In this perspective, Brazilian research obtained similar data when determining the relationship between waist \/weight as a risk factor associated with low health-related quality of life (8) . It became evident that the longer the police action, the higher the BMI, which may indicate that the more time police officers dedicate to their work, the less health care (21) .…”

Estresse Ocupacional, qualidade do sono e obesidade em Policiais Militares - Revisão narrativa

“…These findings show that health and life quality are also influenced by culture. In a study with Research, Society and Development, v. 10, n. 3, e36510313485, 2021 (CC BY 4.0) | ISSN 2525-3409 | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i3.13485 8 1876 Brazilian elite military police officers in the state of Espírito Santo, it was found that 60.9% of these officers were obese (33.8±7.4 age; 87.0±10.5 Kg; 27.6±2.3 BMI; 8.8±7.6 years of military service) and 12.3% suffered from depression (12.3±6.1) (Vancini et al, 2018). However, authors did not find any association between obesity and depressive traits, but rather linked them directly to the number of working years and occupational stress.…”