Association of Body Mass Index and Health Status in Firefighters

Abstract

This study evaluates the usefulness of body mass index (BMI) as a preventive screening tool for general health and duty fitness status among firefighters. Two major BMI categorization methods were used: (1) “standard” [low (<27), medium (≥27 < 30), high (>30)]; and (2) WHO [(normal (<25), overweight (≥25 < 30), obese (≥30 < 39), morbidly obese (≥39)]. Using the “standard” categorization, nearly 60% of individuals had medium or high BMI’s; using the World Health Organization categorization, 80.7% of individuals were found to be overweight, obese, or morbidly obese. Statistically significant, inverse correlation between BMI and each of the following parameters was noted: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, VO_2max, METS, and total cholesterol. Inconsistent or statistically insignificant correlation was found between BMI and HDL, Chol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, FVC % predicted, and FEV_{1 second}% predicted. Findings were similar to previous studies of such correlates. BMI continues to prove useful as a screening tool and may be useful in identifying individual firefighters for health and fitness intervention measures.