The First Twenty for Volunteer Firefighters

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Obesity; Cardiovascular Diseases; Occupational Injuries
• Interventions: Behavioral: The First Twenty

• Registration Number: NCT03181321
• Lead Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of an internet-based firefighter health and wellness program for volunteer fire departments.

Detailed Description

A national sample of volunteer fire departments will be recruited for a 6 month, CRCT with a cross-over treatment design to determine the efficacy of The First Twenty (TF20), a wellness program focused on nutrition and fitness for firefighters. Modifications to the existing TF20 will be made to enhance the health coaching features and include tools for program evaluation. Study outcomes (changes in weight, BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, dietary intakes, blood pressure, and fitness activities) will be assessed pre- and post-intervention.

This will be the first internet-based, occupationally tailored health and wellness program implemented for the volunteer fire service. TF20 will be an essential cost effective tool to address the epidemic of unhealthy body composition, nutrition and fitness among firefighters.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2014-11-01
• Primary Completion: 2017-06-01
• Study First Submitted: 2017-06-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-06-06
• Study First Posted: 2017-06-08
• Study Completion: 2018-04-30
• Status Verified: 2018-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-06-28
• Last Update Posted: 2018-06-29

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 419

Inclusion Criteria

• first responder within a participating fire department
• willing to complete all assessments
• internet accessibility through a computer, tablet or smartphone and ability to use devices appropriately

Exclusion Criteria

• not a first responder within a participating fire department

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
The First Twenty	The First Twenty	The TF20 incorporates individual goal setting and health coaching, leveraging cultural aspects of the fire service and group cohesion to motivate behavior change. The TF20 focuses on the unique needs of FF with culturally relevant nutrition and fitness strategies. TF20 was primarily designed as a cost-effective, stand-alone program for departments which have no health promotion initiative. Program components include practical approaches to nutrition, fitness and mental health.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Waist Circumference	baseline, 6 months	waist circumference from measured waist using a tape
Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)	baseline, 6 months	BMI from measured height and weight
Change in Body Fat Percentage	baseline, 6 months	body fat % from Tanita scale measurement

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Food and nutrient intake as assessed by the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)	baseline, 6 months	The Food and Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) is a self-administered, semi-quantitative, food frequency questionnaire developed by the principal investigator. The FFQ presents a food list, which contains items contributing most to selected nutrient intakes among firefighters and foods encouraged by the intervention. FFQ data will be used to calculate usual nutrient intakes using the Food Intake Analysis System (FIASMe).
Change in self reported physical activity and inactivity	baseline, 6 months	SRPA

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; 🇺🇸 Houston, Texas, United States