Our goal is to explore the effectiveness of 9- month lifestyle medicine based coaching intervention (individual and group coaching) versus control (usual care/ written health instructions). The primary study outcomes will be mean changes in body composition metrics . Secondary outcomes will be the prevalence of metabolic abnormities, progression/regression of Metabolic Syndrome, push-up \& sit/stand capacity, self-reported physical activity, and quality of life/diet/sleep measures.
RATIONALE/GOALS: Obesity is a major health hazard in the US fire service. It contributes to excess cancer, cardiovascular disease and behavioral health issues. Obesity is negatively associated with 12/13 health priorities identified by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation. Mitigating obesity is crucial to the fire service's goals of reducing chronic diseases and their adverse economic/operational impacts. METHODS: At least 75 male firefighters self-reporting a body mass index (BMI) of \>/= 30 kg/m2 AND interest in weight loss will complete a baseline health assessment including: lifestyle scores, body composition, metabolic/hormonal indices, physical fitness, and behavioral health screens, until 50 eligible firefighters have been consented and enrolled. After the initial clinical evaluation, 50 eligible firefighters will be randomized into the two study groups (about 25 firefighters to each arm): 1. General Health Instructions (CONTROL) and 2. Individual \& Group Lifestyle Coaching based on the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine \& Full Plate Living. Participants will repeat the all health/fitness measures at 3-, 6- and 9-months post study entry. The two treatment groups will be compared on an intention to treat basis. ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES: Compared to CONTROL, firefighters receiving the Lifestyle Coaching Intervention should achieve significantly greater improvements in body composition, metabolic \& other health measures, as well as adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
The schedule for the individual and group coaching sessions is summarized below: * Individual Coaching: Six one-on-one online sessions with a trained dietician, starting with an initial 30-minute session at baseline, followed by sessions at one month and then every other month. * Group Coaching: 60-minute group online sessions with up to 15 participants per group. Group sessions schedule: there will be a total of 13 group sessions. They will meet once a week for the first 4 weeks, twice monthly for the next 8 weeks of follow-up, and then monthly for the remaining follow-up until the 13th session.
Cambridge Health Alliance
Sommerville, Massachusetts, United States
RECRUITINGMean change in body mass index
Body Mass Index (kg/m-squared)
Time frame: From the start of the intervention to its conclusion at nine months.
Mean change in body fat
Body fat percentage as measured by bioelectrical impedance
Time frame: From the start of the intervention to its conclusion at nine months.
Mean change in waist circumference
Waist circumference (cm)
Time frame: From the start of the intervention to its conclusion at nine months.
Mean change in waist/hip ratio
Waist/hip ratio (waist circumference (cm) divided by hip circumference (cm)
Time frame: From the start of the intervention to its conclusion at nine months.
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome
Number (%) of participants with 3 or more metabolic syndrome components
Time frame: From the start of the intervention to its conclusion at nine months.
Push-up capacity
1-minute push-up capacity
Time frame: From the start of the intervention to its conclusion at nine months.
Sit/stand capacity
1-munute sit to stand completions
Time frame: From the start of the intervention to its conclusion at nine months.
Self-reported Healthy Lifestyle Score
Score based on self-reported health behaviors from a standardized survey tool with validated component metrics
Time frame: From the start of the intervention to its conclusion at nine months.
Self-reported quality of life
Score based on the validated Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12). The SF-12 generates two summary scores: the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS), each ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life.
Time frame: From the start of the intervention to its conclusion at nine months.
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