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Description
Metabolic syndrome is composed of five main risk factors, which are also closely related to obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Firefighters represent a unique population that could possibly be at a higher risk for metabolic syndrome due to job duties. This study aimed to determine correlates of metabolic syndrome in San Diego firefighters enrolled in a fire wellness program. The data comes from the San Diego Sports Medicine center fire wellness program. 1069 firefighters were enrolled into the study. Data that was collected included anthropometric measures, blood measures, cardiorespiratory function, and medical history. Backwards stepwise logistic regression modeling was used to analyze the data. The population was stratified by gender due to disproportionate gender sample sizes. The final sample size included 981 males and 88 females. Male firefighters with 'medium' metabolic equivalents (METs) were more likely to have metabolic syndrome at baseline, compared to male firefighters with 'high' METs, after controlling for all other variables [OR=3.68 95% CI: 1.51, 8.98; p=0.004]. After controlling for all other variables in the model, male firefighters with 'low' METs were more likely to have metabolic syndrome at baseline, compared to male firefighters with 'high' METs [OR=7.64 95% CI: 2.94, 19.88; p=0.004]. Male firefighters with 'very low' METs were more likely to have metabolic syndrome at baseline compared to male firefighters with 'high' METs, after controlling for all other variables [OR=13.21 95% CI: 4.42, 39.49; p<0.001]. The results of our study suggest that San Diego firefighters are more fit than other firefighter populations in the literature. 'Metabolic equivalents' was also inversely related to metabolic syndrome outcome; higher levels of fitness decreased the odds of metabolic syndrome in firefighters enrolled at the fire wellness program. Age-associated declines in cardiorespiratory function can be explained by the age-related increases in metabolic syndrome. The results also add to the sparse body of literature on firefighters and metabolic syndrome. Future interventions should focus on promoting healthy behaviors that lead to a higher level of fitness in firefighters.
