Weight Status and Binge Drinking Among Male and Female Florida Firefighters.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to examine the association between weight status and binge drinking among Florida firefighters. METHODS: Health survey data collected between 2015 and 2019 among Florida firefighters participating in the Annual Cancer Survey were analyzed for weight class (healthy, overweight, obese) and binge-drinking behaviors. Binary logistic regression models were fit and stratified by sex while controlling for sociodemographic and health characteristics. RESULTS: Among 4002 firefighter participants, 45.1% binge drink, 50.9% are overweight, and 31.3% are obese. Among male firefighters, being overweight (adjusted odds ratio = 1.34; 95% confidence interval = 1.10-1.64) or obese (1.29; 1.04-1.61) was significantly associated with binge drinking compared with healthy weight counterparts. In female firefighters, being obese (2.25; 1.21-4.22) was significantly associated with binge drinking but being overweight was not. CONCLUSIONS: Being overweight or obese is selectively associated with binge drinking among male and female firefighters.

Firefighter Well-Being Defined and Operationalized at the Organizational and Worker Level: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to define and explore organizational- and worker-level factors of firefighter well-being. METHODS: Qualitative data were collected using interviews and focus group sessions among 17 career firefighters across 4 fire departments. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and a general inductive approach was used to code similar concepts into themes. RESULTS: Firefighters defined well-being as being content with oneself and being able to balance ones' emotional, mental, and physical health. Themes contributing to firefighter well-being include the nature of the job, the influence of others, and physical health. Subthemes mapping to themes include dealing with trauma, compartmentalizing work and home life, coworkers and station culture, the role of superiors on attitudes and practices, being a reliable firefighter, and lack of sleep. CONCLUSIONS: Career firefighters describe well-being as a holistic approach to balancing emotional, mental, and physical health.

Characterizing the Health and Safety Concerns of U.S. Rideshare Drivers: A Qualitative Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the growth and popularity of gig work, limited information exists about the occupational health and safety concerns faced by individuals who are employed through ridesharing online applications. In this qualitative study, we characterized the perceived health and safety concerns of drivers employed by rideshare companies. METHODS: During September-October 2019, we requested car rides, using digital rideshare platforms. During the ride, drivers responded verbally to a brief closed-end sociodemographic and work characteristics survey. A semi-structured interview script was used to collect rideshare driver perceptions on health and safety risks. FINDINGS: A total of 35 rideshare drivers of group mean age of 43.1 ± 11.2 years were interviewed, of whom 77.1% were male and 82.9% identified as Latino. Sixty percent of participants reported rideshare as their primary job, working an average of 47.9 ± 19.6 hours weekly (minimum = 6 hours, maximum = 84 hours). Drivers enjoyed job autonomy yet faced stressors such as passenger risky behavior, car accidents, and lack of policies that protect the driver. Rideshare drivers also raised concerns about their current health status, economic pressures, and worker safety. CONCLUSION/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Drivers are forced to extend work hours to support themselves financially, exacerbating their current health concerns and safety risks as it means more time spent working in their sedentary job, compromising their mental and physical health as well as their safety. Occupational health and safety programs geared toward workers in the gig economy are needed.

The Feasibility of Collecting Longitudinal Cardiovascular and Fitness Outcomes From a Neighborhood Park-Based Fitness Program in Ethnically Diverse Older Adults: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

This proof-of-concept study examined feasibility of assessing longitudinal changes in body mass index, strength, mobility, and cardiovascular health outcomes in older, racial/ethnic minority adults participating in a park-based physical activity program. Study feasibility was based on follow-through data collection procedures and ability to manage and implement data collection, enrollment, and repeated measures data collection in older adults (≥50 years; n = 380; 45% Hispanic, 41% non-Hispanic Black) over a 28-month period. Mixed models were developed to estimate the effects of program participation over time on participant cardiovascular and fitness outcomes and across poverty and age subgroups. Model estimates adjusted for individual-level sociodemographics showed improvements across each 4 month time point in arm strength (0.55 arm curl; 95% confidence interval [0.33, 0.77]) and systolic (-0.68 mmHg; 95% confidence interval [-1.22, -0.13]) and diastolic (-0.47 mmHg; 95% confidence interval [-0.79, -0.16]) blood pressure. An Age × Poverty interaction found greater improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure among younger participants living in low poverty (vs. older in higher poverty). Study of the longitudinal association between fitness class participation and health outcomes was feasible in park-based settings.

Walking Meeting Effects on Productivity and Mood Among White-Collar Workers: Evidence From the Walking Meeting Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: Walking Meetings (WaM) have shown to be acceptable, feasible, and implementable among white-collar workers. This pilot study examines the effects of WaM on worker mood, productivity, and physical activity. METHODS: Eighteen white-collar workers were recruited from a university in Florida. Participants wore accelerometers for 3 consecutive weeks. During baseline week, participants continued their normal seated meetings. In weeks 2 and 3, participants conducted one walking meeting in groups of two to three people. RESULTS: Increased moderate occupational physical activity was correlated with increased productivity measured by decreased work time missed due to health reasons (r = -0.59; P = 0.03) and decreased impairment while working due to health reasons (r = -0.61; P = 0.02). In week 3, very vigorous physical activity was significantly correlated with negative mood (r = 0.69, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: WaM affected worker mood and productivity and increased occupational physical activity-levels.

The Effect of a Park-Based Physical Activity Program on Cardiovascular, Strength, and Mobility Outcomes Among a Sample of Racially/Ethnically Diverse Adults Aged 55 or Older.

INTRODUCTION: Many older adults are not physically active despite the well-documented health benefits of regular exercise. We examined cardiovascular, strength, and mobility outcomes among a sample of racially/ethnically diverse adults aged 55 or older participating in a community park-based physical activity program. METHODS: We assessed the following among adults aged 55 or older who attended a 1-hour park-based fitness class 2 or 3 times per week for 21 weeks: 1) 3 fitness outcomes, 2) systolic and diastolic blood pressure, 3) height and weight (to assess body mass index), and 4) pulse. We collected data at baseline (August-September 2016) and follow-up (January-February 2017). Linear regression analysis, adjusting for sex, age, and race/ethnicity, examined the association between program participation and changes in outcomes. RESULTS: Adjusted models showed a mean decrease in systolic blood pressure (-3.80 mm Hg; 95% CI, -6.75 to -0.84 mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (-1.54 mm Hg; 95% CI, -3.01 to -0.06 mm Hg) and a mean increase in number of arm curls completed in 30 seconds (1.66; 95% CI, 0.71-2.61) from baseline to follow-up among all participants. Hispanic participants, compared with non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black participants, showed greater improvements in mean body mass index (-2.48; 95% CI, -4.60 to -0.34), systolic blood pressure (8.59 mm Hg; 95% CI, -16.82 to -0.36 mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (-7.06 mm Hg; 95% CI, -11.16 to -2.97 mm Hg), and pulse (-6.53 beats per minute; 95% CI, -11.38 to -1.67 beats per minute). CONCLUSION: Park-based fitness classes tailored to older, racially/ethnically diverse adults can improve cardiovascular health and strength.

Opportunities for Increased Physical Activity in the Workplace: the Walking Meeting (WaM) Pilot Study, Miami, 2015.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the positive impact walking has on human health, few opportunities exist for workers with largely sedentary jobs to increase physical activity while at work. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the implementation, feasibility, and acceptability of using a Walking Meeting (WaM) protocol to increase the level of work-related physical activity among a group of sedentary white-collar workers. METHODS: White-collar workers at a large university were invited to participate in a newly developed WaM protocol. Workers who conducted weekly meetings in groups of 2 or 3 individuals were recruited for the pilot study (n = 18) that took place from January 2015 to August 2015. Seventeen participants wore an accelerometer to measure physical activity levels during 3 consecutive weeks (first week baseline, followed by 2 weeks of organized WaMs) and participated in focus groups conducted during week 3 to document experiences with the WaM protocol. RESULTS: The WaM protocol met study criteria on feasibility, implementation, and acceptability among study participants. The average number of minutes (standard deviation) participants engaged in combined work-related moderate/vigorous physical activity per week during the 3 weeks increased from an average of 107 (55) minutes during the baseline week to 114 (67) minutes at week 2 and to 117 (65) minutes at week 3. CONCLUSION: White- collar workers were supportive of transforming regular seated meetings into walking meetings and increased their work-related physical activity levels.