The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of an internet-based firefighter health and wellness program for volunteer fire departments.
A national sample of volunteer fire departments will be recruited for a 6 month, CRCT with a cross-over treatment design to determine the efficacy of The First Twenty (TF20), a wellness program focused on nutrition and fitness for firefighters. Modifications to the existing TF20 will be made to enhance the health coaching features and include tools for program evaluation. Study outcomes (changes in weight, BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, dietary intakes, blood pressure, and fitness activities) will be assessed pre- and post-intervention. This will be the first internet-based, occupationally tailored health and wellness program implemented for the volunteer fire service. TF20 will be an essential cost effective tool to address the epidemic of unhealthy body composition, nutrition and fitness among firefighters.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
419
The TF20 incorporates individual goal setting and health coaching, leveraging cultural aspects of the fire service and group cohesion to motivate behavior change. The TF20 focuses on the unique needs of FF with culturally relevant nutrition and fitness strategies. TF20 was primarily designed as a cost-effective, stand-alone program for departments which have no health promotion initiative. Program components include practical approaches to nutrition, fitness and mental health.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, United States
Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI from measured height and weight
Time frame: baseline, 6 months
Change in Body Fat Percentage
body fat % from Tanita scale measurement
Time frame: baseline, 6 months
Change in Waist Circumference
waist circumference from measured waist using a tape
Time frame: baseline, 6 months
Change in Food and nutrient intake as assessed by the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)
The Food and Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) is a self-administered, semi-quantitative, food frequency questionnaire developed by the principal investigator. The FFQ presents a food list, which contains items contributing most to selected nutrient intakes among firefighters and foods encouraged by the intervention. FFQ data will be used to calculate usual nutrient intakes using the Food Intake Analysis System (FIASMe).
Time frame: baseline, 6 months
Change in self reported physical activity and inactivity
SRPA
Time frame: baseline, 6 months
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