@article{ref1,
title="Lifestyle behaviours and perceived well-being in different fire service roles",
journal="Occupational medicine",
year="2018",
author="Turner, P. J. F. and Siddall, A. G. and Stevenson, R. D. M. and Standage, M. and Bilzon, J. L. J.",
volume="68",
number="8",
pages="537-543",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Aspects of the work environment influence employee well-being. However, it is unclear how employee lifestyle behaviours, health characteristics and well-being may differ within a broader occupational sector. AIMS: To investigate the health characteristics, lifestyle behaviours and well-being of three Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) occupational groups that differ in shift work and occupational demands: operational firefighters (FF), emergency control (EC) and administrative support (AS) workers. <br><br>METHODS: Data were obtained via an online survey using previously validated questionnaires to assess health characteristics, lifestyle behaviours and perceived well-being. Differences between groups were explored, controlling for confounding variables, using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) methods. Effect sizes are reported where appropriate to demonstrate clinical significance. <br><br>RESULTS: Four thousand five hundred and sixty-four FRS personnel volunteered, with 3333 (73%) completing the survey out of a total workforce of 60000 (8%). FF reported the lowest prevalence of chronic medical conditions (10%), compared with AS (21%) and EC (19%) workers. Total physical activity (PA) was 66% higher among FF compared with EC and AS workers. Components of sleep and self-rated health were independent predictors of well-being irrespective of FRS role. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: FF reported the highest levels of PA and highest perceptions of well-being, and the lowest prevalence of obesity and chronic medical conditions, compared with other FRS occupational groups. These findings may be used to inform FRS workplace intervention strategies.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0962-7480",
doi="10.1093/occmed/kqy110",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqy110"
}