TY - JOUR PY - 2018// TI - Lifestyle behaviours and perceived well-being in different fire service roles JO - Occupational medicine A1 - Turner, P. J. F. A1 - Siddall, A. G. A1 - Stevenson, R. D. M. A1 - Standage, M. A1 - Bilzon, J. L. J. SP - 537 EP - 543 VL - 68 IS - 8 N2 - 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.

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.

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.

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.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0962-7480 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqy110 ID - ref1 ER -