The First Twenty for Volunteer Firefighters

The University of Texas System (UT)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Obesity; Cardiovascular Diseases; Occupational Injuries

Treatments: Behavioral: The First Twenty

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03181321

EMW-2013-FP-00983 (Other Identifier)

HSC-SPH-14-0749

Details and patient eligibility

About

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

Full 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.

Enrollment: 419 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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419 participants in 2 patient groups

The First Twenty

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: The First Twenty

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in this arm will not be asked to change anything in their lifestyle during the 6 month period.