Navigating Occupational Challenges: First Responders’ Perspectives on Dietary Intake and Behavior

Drew Gonzalez; Adriana Gil; Ryan Sowinski; Kristen MacKenzie; Steven Martin; Rob Marc Orr

doi:10.53520/jen2024.103176

Navigating Occupational Challenges: First Responders’ Perspectives on Dietary Intake and Behavior

Drew Gonzalez^*, Adriana Gil, Ryan Sowinski, Kristen MacKenzie, Steven Martin, Rob Marc Orr

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

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Abstract

Introduction:
This study aimed to investigate first responders' dietary beliefs, habits, and food choices.

Methods:
Cross-sectional data were obtained from 21 first responders via validated questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29 software.

Results:
21 first responders, including 13 law enforcement officers and eight
firefighters, participated (age=37.8±10.0 years, height=180.8±6.5 cm, body
mass=94.3±13.1 kg, and body mass index=28.9±4.5 kg/m2). Most participants
reported being very willing (n=8, 39.1%) or willing (n=7, 33.3%) to change their
eating habits. Barriers to healthy eating included busy lifestyles (n=19, 95%), irregular working hours (n=13, 65%), and willpower (n=10, 50%). Participants also placed importance on several food choice factors.

Conclusions:
First responders reported valuing healthy eating. However, unique
barriers challenge them despite their willingness to improve their habits. These data may aid further investigation of healthy eating strategies in these populations.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-10
Number of pages	10
Journal	Journal of Exercise and Nutrition
Volume	7
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.53520/jen2024.103176
Publication status	Published - 16 Aug 2024

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10.53520/jen2024.103176Licence: CC BY

Navigating Occupational Challenges: First Responders’ Perspectives on Dietary Intake and BehaviorFinal published version, 467 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

@article{7aa82228bbf14a5ca455c5909cab1c42,

title = "Navigating Occupational Challenges: First Responders{\textquoteright} Perspectives on Dietary Intake and Behavior",

abstract = "Introduction: This study aimed to investigate first responders' dietary beliefs, habits, and food choices. Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 21 first responders via validated questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29 software.Results: 21 first responders, including 13 law enforcement officers and eight firefighters, participated (age=37.8±10.0 years, height=180.8±6.5 cm, body mass=94.3±13.1 kg, and body mass index=28.9±4.5 kg/m2). Most participants reported being very willing (n=8, 39.1%) or willing (n=7, 33.3%) to change their eating habits. Barriers to healthy eating included busy lifestyles (n=19, 95%), irregular working hours (n=13, 65%), and willpower (n=10, 50%). Participants also placed importance on several food choice factors. Conclusions: First responders reported valuing healthy eating. However, unique barriers challenge them despite their willingness to improve their habits. These data may aid further investigation of healthy eating strategies in these populations.",

author = "Drew Gonzalez and Adriana Gil and Ryan Sowinski and Kristen MacKenzie and Steven Martin and Orr, {Rob Marc}",

year = "2024",

month = aug,

day = "16",

doi = "10.53520/jen2024.103176",

language = "English",

volume = "7",

pages = "1--10",

journal = "Journal of Exercise and Nutrition",

issn = "2640-2572",

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T1 - Navigating Occupational Challenges: First Responders’ Perspectives on Dietary Intake and Behavior

AU - Gonzalez, Drew

AU - Gil, Adriana

AU - Sowinski, Ryan

AU - MacKenzie, Kristen

AU - Martin, Steven

AU - Orr, Rob Marc

PY - 2024/8/16

Y1 - 2024/8/16

N2 - Introduction: This study aimed to investigate first responders' dietary beliefs, habits, and food choices. Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 21 first responders via validated questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29 software.Results: 21 first responders, including 13 law enforcement officers and eight firefighters, participated (age=37.8±10.0 years, height=180.8±6.5 cm, body mass=94.3±13.1 kg, and body mass index=28.9±4.5 kg/m2). Most participants reported being very willing (n=8, 39.1%) or willing (n=7, 33.3%) to change their eating habits. Barriers to healthy eating included busy lifestyles (n=19, 95%), irregular working hours (n=13, 65%), and willpower (n=10, 50%). Participants also placed importance on several food choice factors. Conclusions: First responders reported valuing healthy eating. However, unique barriers challenge them despite their willingness to improve their habits. These data may aid further investigation of healthy eating strategies in these populations.

AB - Introduction: This study aimed to investigate first responders' dietary beliefs, habits, and food choices. Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 21 first responders via validated questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29 software.Results: 21 first responders, including 13 law enforcement officers and eight firefighters, participated (age=37.8±10.0 years, height=180.8±6.5 cm, body mass=94.3±13.1 kg, and body mass index=28.9±4.5 kg/m2). Most participants reported being very willing (n=8, 39.1%) or willing (n=7, 33.3%) to change their eating habits. Barriers to healthy eating included busy lifestyles (n=19, 95%), irregular working hours (n=13, 65%), and willpower (n=10, 50%). Participants also placed importance on several food choice factors. Conclusions: First responders reported valuing healthy eating. However, unique barriers challenge them despite their willingness to improve their habits. These data may aid further investigation of healthy eating strategies in these populations.

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DO - 10.53520/jen2024.103176

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