Abstract
PURPOSE: Obesity increases the risk of on the job injury among certain US worker populations, but little is known about the effects of obesity on firefighter injury and worker's compensation claims. The purpose is to determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) and worker's compensation claim due to firefighter injury. METHODS: A prospective evaluation of firefighter injuries contributing to filing a worker's compensation claim occurring during the PHLAME Study cohort 5 years after the original PHLAME intervention. Biometric data were collected, including BMI, blood pressure, lipids, fitness testing, dietary assessment and questionnaire. RESULTS: After controlling for age, general health, team cohesion, vigorous exercise, there were significantly increased odds of filing a compensation claim due to injury for firefighters in the obese category when compared with the reference group (i.e., normal weight category). The odds of filing a compensation claim are almost three times higher for firefighters under the obese category compared to firefighters with normal weight (odds ratio=2.763, p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining a healthy body weight is important to reduce injury and worker's compensation claims among firefighters.
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