A 7-month multi-disciplinary healthy lifestyle intervention effectively improved cardiometabolic risk profile of firefighters

J Occup Environ Med. 2024 Apr 12. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003116. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the effect of a 7-month healthy lifestyle intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) among male career military firefighters (FFs).

Methods: 49 FFs participated in a 7-month workplace multi-disciplinary healthy lifestyle intervention designed to reduce CMRF through exercise, diet, and improved sleep. Medical assessments, accelerometry, and surveys at the beginning and end determined program effectiveness.

Results: At the end of the intervention period, there was a significant improvement in measures of body composition and blood glucose. The prevalence of hypertension also decreased significantly (p < 0.01). The 57% of participants who fully adhered to the program had significantly greater improvements across multiple CMRF. Participants increased their physical activity and improved their diet following the intervention.

Conclusion: This healthy lifestyle intervention was effective in changing behavior and lowering cardiometabolic risk among FFs.