Adiposity predicts self-reported frequency of poor health days among male firefighters.
OBJECTIVE
Quantify the association between adiposity and frequency of self-reported poor health days among male firefighters.


METHODS
Measures were taken for body mass index, waist circumference, and percentage of body fat. Firefighters self-reported the outcome of the number of poor health days in the past 30 days. Zero-inflated negative binomial models and fractional polynomial plots were used to determine the impact of adiposity on the frequency of self-reported poor health days.


RESULTS
Body mass index (rate ratio [RR]: 1.037; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.003 to 1.073), waist circumference (RR: 1.012; 95% CI: 0.999 to 1.030), and percentage of body fat (RR: 1.021; 95% CI: 0.999 to 1.041) were associated with self-reported poor health days.


CONCLUSIONS
Adiposity is positively associated with frequency of self-reported poor health days among male firefighters. Future efforts to improve health among firefighters should emphasize reductions in adiposity.
From the Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (Mr Brown, Ms Wilkinson, Dr Day), University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston; and Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research (Drs Poston, Haddock, and Jahnke), National Development and Research Institutes, Leawood, KS.
Austin L
AL
Brown
Michelle L
ML
Wilkinson
Walker S C
WS
Poston
Christopher Keith
CK
Haddock
Sara A
SA
Jahnke
Rena Sue
RS
Day
D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D061388:Firefighters; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055105:Waist Circumference