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Development of body composition reference curves for UK firefighters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 January 2020

G. R. Lessons ,
D. Bhakta  and
H. D. McCarthy
G. R. Lessons
Affiliation:
Public Health Nutrition Research Group, London Metropolitan University, London, N7 8DB, UK
D. Bhakta
Affiliation:
Public Health Nutrition Research Group, London Metropolitan University, London, N7 8DB, UK
H. D. McCarthy
Affiliation:
Public Health Nutrition Research Group, London Metropolitan University, London, N7 8DB, UK
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Abstract

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Research indicates that UK firefighters suffer prevalence of overweight and obesity exceeding that of the UK general population (Reference Lessons and Bhakta1–Reference Munir, Clemes and Houdmont2). This could hinder both firefighter and public safety due to compromised occupational performance. Aside from increased risk of non-communicable diseases (Reference Soteriades, Hauser and Kawachi3), obese firefighters possibly could have lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness together with reduced muscular strength compared with healthy colleagues assessed as having a healthy weight (Reference Poston, Haddock and Jahnke4). To date there are no firefighter-specific body composition References available. Differential misclassification can occur using BMI, a problem which is exacerbated in populations possessing above average skeletal muscle, with firefighters being misclassified in up to thirty three percent of cases (Reference Jitnarin, Poston and Haddock5).

We have now developed firefighter specific body composition References. 320 London Fire Brigade (LFB) male firefighters (mean age: 40, SD: 8.6y) from 28 Greater London fire stations were recruited throughout 2019. Skeletal muscle mass and body fatness were measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis utilising the Tanita MC-780MA system. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM kg) was calculated by summing the muscle mass of the four limbs for each participant. Centile curves were generated for ASMM and body fat percentage using LMS Chart maker light.

This generated seven age-related reference curves which illustrate the 2nd, 9th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 91st and 98th centiles (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.

Male firefighter, age related, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) and body fat references.

These centiles offer a novel improvement upon the limitations of BMI, especially when being applied to firefighters who require greater levels of physical fitness and skeletal muscle than the general population. Specific centiles could be assigned to identify age-related low, normal and high ASMM as well as age-related under-fat, normal, over-fat and obese firefighters. They could also be used as education intervention tools to help improve or maintain an optimal body composition. We are currently developing the same References for UK female firefighters.

References

Lessons, GR, Bhakta, D (2018) Proc Nut Soc 77(OCE1), E21.10.1017/S0029665117004402CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Munir, F, Clemes, S, Houdmont, J et al. (2012) Occup Med 62(5), 362–365.10.1093/occmed/kqs077CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Soteriades, ES, Hauser, R, Kawachi, I et al. (2005) Obes Res 13, 1756–1763.10.1038/oby.2005.214CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Poston, WSC, Haddock, CK, Jahnke, SA et al. (2011) J Occup Environ Med 53(3), 266–273.10.1097/JOM.0b013e31820af362CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jitnarin, N, Poston, WSC, Haddock, CK et al. (2014) Saf Health Work 5(3), 161–164.10.1016/j.shaw.2014.06.003CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Figure 0

Fig. 1. Male firefighter, age related, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) and body fat references.