Abstract
IntroductionCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of on-duty fatalities among U.S. firefighters. Research has demonstrated that many modifiable risk factors are contributors to the high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors. The current study aimed to assess whether sleep is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors among Indianapolis firefighters. The findings could support improving sleep hygiene in this population.Material and MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from the baseline data of eligible firefighters enrolled in “Feeding America’s Bravest”, a Mediterranean diet lifestyle intervention within the Indiana Fire Departments. Participants’ sleep quality was categorized as “good” (≤ 8 points) or “bad” (>8 points) by a sleep quality questionnaire based on some questions from Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. In addition, firefighters’ sleep duration was stratified based on the number of hours slept per night (≤6 as “short sleep” or >6 hours as normal). Linear and logistic regression models were used to examine the association of sleep with cardiometabolic risk factors.ResultsA total of 258 firefighters were included. Bad sleepers had higher weight, greater waist circumference, higher body mass index (BMI), and increased body fat (all p<0.01) compared to good sleepers. Similarly, participants with short sleep duration were heavier (p<0.02), had greater BMI (p<0.02) and increased body fat (p<0.04) compared with participants with normal sleep duration. Both bad and short sleepers had a higher prevalence of hypertension and obesity (p <0.05).ConclusionsOur study supports that both sleep quality and quantity are associated with cardiometabolic risk among firefighters.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of on-duty fatalities among U.S firefighters
Participants with short sleep duration were heavier (p
Our study supports that both sleep quality and quantity are associated with cardiometabolic risk among firefighters
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of on-duty fatalities among U.S firefighters. Current evidence supports that the quality and quantity of sleep are important modifiable lifestyle factors similar to dietary patterns, sedentary behavior, and smoking regarding the development of CVD [2]. Poor sleep quality and sleep quantity have been linked with increases in cardiometabolic risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, and with an increased risk of CVD death [3, 4]. These, in turn, are considered major contributors to firefighters’ high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors, burnout and other behavioral health issues [8]. This lifestyle is in part a consequence of their work schedule, which typically includes 24 hour-shifts and often involves second jobs during the time off from the fire department. Meal times are often unpredictable and inconsistent, which increases the risk of poor dietary choices, including sugarsweetened beverages and fast-/takeout-foods which are linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome [10,11,12]
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