Differences in 5-year weight change between younger and older US firefighters

Abstract

Background Research consistently finds that, on average, firefighters gain weight over time and some data indicate that younger firefighters are more likely to gain weight than older firefighters. The purpose of this study was to estimate the 5-year weight change among younger and older US firefighters. Methods Data from two occupational medical exams separated by 5 years (2009–2016) were examined from a cohort of US career firefighters in Virginia (males, n = 589; females, n = 67). The cohort was grouped into two age categories (< 45 years and ≥ 45 years). Weight change subgroups were Loss (decrease of > 3% body weight), Stable (within ±3% body weight) and Gain (increase of > 3% body weight). Multinomial logistic regression models and linear regression models were conducted to examine differences in the probability of being in a particular weight change category, weight change overall and by weight change category between younger and older firefighters. Results At baseline, 25 and 35% of younger (< 45 years) and older (≥ 45 years) were obese, respectively. Younger firefighters gained significantly (P < 0.05) more weight (3.0 ± 0.2 kg) than older firefighters (0.8 ± 0.5 kg). Younger firefighters were more likely to gain weight (53% versus 39%) and less likely (10% versus 20%) to lose weight as compared to older firefighters. Smaller weight gains were associated with age and BMI with the smallest increases observed in overweight and obese firefighters ≥45 years of age. Conclusions Health care providers should be attentive to weight gain, even among young non-obese firefighters, and counsel firefighters to avoid the additive risks of being older and heavier. In addition, weight loss/management programs should be promoted in the fire service to encourage healthy body weight and to prevent unhealthy weight gain among both young and old firefighters alike.

Development of Physical Training Program to Boost Functional Strength in Firefighter Recruits Using a Modified Nominal Group Technique

“…Employing jumping jacks in PT, or even as a disciplinary method outside of PT, is important for maintaining recruits' lean body mass and their resistance to heat stress in hot environments. A previous study [30] revealed that young re ghters were more likely to gain weight and less likely to lose weight compared to older re ghters. As for the optimal number of jumping jacks, recent recommendations [31] have identi ed a regimen of 50 to 100 jumping jacks performed 3 to 5 days per week in sets of 10 as bene cial, particularly for bone density, which supports the experts' intensity categorisation in this study.…”

Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among Firefighters

“…The variations in body fat percentage observed between our findings and those of other studies may be due to the characteristics of the sample being studied, such as participation in different wellness programs [28], differences in rank [29], etc., or variations in the assessment methods [28]. A recent study conducted over a five-year period in the United States, which investigated weight changes among firefighters aged below 45 years and those aged 45 years and above, revealed obesity rates of 25% among the younger group and 35% among the older group [30]. Notably, younger firefighters experienced a significantly higher weight gain compared to their older counterparts [30].…”

“…A recent study conducted over a five-year period in the United States, which investigated weight changes among firefighters aged below 45 years and those aged 45 years and above, revealed obesity rates of 25% among the younger group and 35% among the older group [30]. Notably, younger firefighters experienced a significantly higher weight gain compared to their older counterparts [30]. Moreover, a meta-analysis demonstrated that the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity within the firefighter population were 44.1% and 35.6%, respectively [31].…”