This is scary…We need to change.
Rates of overweight and obese individuals in the fire service are higher than those found in the general public, according to a new study.
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Researchers looked at the body composition of both career and volunteer firefighters across the nation, with overweight and obesity rates ranging from 73 percent to 88 percent. About two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese on a general, national level. The research demonstrates that a large percentage of firefighters do not meet minimal standards of physical fitness, according to the study conducted by the NVFC
National Volunteer Fire Council– “Addressing the Epidemic of Obesity in the United States Fire Service” looks at the impact of obesity, the scope of obesity in the fire service, and why obesity has become an epidemic.
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The report also adds that “as firefighters gain more weight, research has found that cardio respiratory fitness plummets and the risk of cardiovascular disease increases.” “There is solid evidence that suggests physical fitness is related to job performance and the performance of simulated firefighting tasks (e.g., hose and ladder carry, donning SCBA, climbing three flights of stairs, rescue and body drag, etc.). “The fact that so many firefighters are not fit is troubling. This situation may be at least partially due to lack of agreement over fitness and body composition standards in the fire service and the fact that few departments engage in regular monitoring of body composition and physical fitness in their firefighters.”
The research found that occupational factors may place firefighters at high risk for weight gain, including:
• Shift work
• Sleep disruption
• Unhealthy eating patterns in the firehouse
• The absence of fitness standards for firefighters
This report should urge everyone from national fire service leadership, to department chiefs, to individual firefighters to think creatively and join in efforts to reverse the negative trends of unhealthy body weight and poor physical fitness. Now is the time to begin a national conversation regarding obesity in the fire service.
We as Firefighters, EMTs, and Paramedic’s need to start changing our unhealthy culture around the firehouse. Instead of grabbing a sugary treat like a cookie or cake, we need to reach for something healthy. We as FireRescue Athletes must also start to act like athletes and remember that food is a fuel that allows us to more efficiently and SAFELY perform our duties.
Among the recommendations the report makes for the fire service to combat obesity and increase fitness are:
• Fire departments should consider conducting annual fitness assessments.
• Minimal fitness recommendations for all firefighters should be a priority.
• An effective fitness program can be implemented by fire departments at minimal cost and using existing facilities.
Take the first step toward reducing your chances of heart attack, back injury/ strain and get into the best shape of your life by JOINING the FireRescue Athlete Nation and starting the FREE FRF 28-day Quickstart Workout program which includes the SOP’s to Lean Eating in the Firehouse.
“The time for action is now. It’s never too late to do something.” –Carl Sandburg
Reference
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