Dietary Patterns Following a Firefighter Nutrition Education Programme
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorAvon Fire and Rescue Service
About this trial
Firefighters may be at increased risk of poor dietary habits due to nature of shift work, extended duty periods, and reliance on food available within fire station environments. Irregular working patterns and limited access to healthy food options during shifts can contribute to poorer dietary intake. Previous research suggests that occupational environments and works schedules can significantly influence food choices and overall nutrition in emergency service personnel.
This study is being conducted to assess current dietary behaviours among firefighters and to evaluate changes following implementation of the RESCUE (Resilient Eating Strategies for Cancer-Risk in Uniformed Emergency workers) nutrition education programme, a structured programme designed to improve dietary knowledge and food choices. It will also explore the influence of station-based food provision on dietary intake.
The research is important as firefighters face increased occupational health risks, including elevated cancer risk, where diet may play a role in long-term health outcomes. Improving dietary habits in this group may improve health, occupational performance, and reduce the risk of chronic disease. The findings will provide evidence to inform the development of practical, targeted nutrition interventions within fire and rescue services.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
None
Disqualifiers
None
Trial population
Wholetime operational firefighters aged 18 years or over and employed by Avon Fire \& Rescue Service. Eligible firefighters are invited to complete voluntary questionnaire assessments before implementation of RESCUE and approximately 3, 6 and 12 months afterwards. Participation is invited separately at each assessment, and respondents are not required to have completed a previous questionnaire. For the watch-level messing assessment, one questionnaire is completed by the watch mess manager or another nominated member familiar with typical food provision.
Trial design
Design model
Other
Time perspective
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
RESCUE Nutrition Education Programme
BehavioralA firefighter-specific nutrition education programme implemented across Avon Fire \& Rescue Service at watch level as a service-wide workforce initiative, independently of participation in the research evaluation. The programme provides education on dietary strategies relevant to long-term health and cancer-risk reduction, supported by educational resources designed to encourage healthier dietary choices at home and within the workplace.
Treatment groups
350 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: Eligible AF&RS Wholetime Operational Firefighters1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Difference in Mean RESCUE Protective Eating Pattern Score Between Baseline and 12 Months
Difference in mean RESCUE Protective Eating Pattern Score between the service-wide baseline and 12-month questionnaire assessments following implementation of the RESCUE nutrition programme. The score measures the reported frequency of protective dietary behaviours, including consumption of fruit, vegetables, cruciferous and allium vegetables, legumes, wholegrains, nuts and seeds, and fish and seafood. Scores range from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating more frequent reported consumption of the protective foods represented in the score. The primary comparison will include all respondents with valid scores in the baseline sample and all respondents with valid scores in the 12-month sample; completion of both assessments is not required. Where participant-generated study codes permit baseline and 12-month responses to be linked, within-participant change will also be examined as a supporting analysis.
Time frame
Baseline before programme implementation and approximately 12 months after programme implementationSecondary outcomes
1
Participant-reported appraisal of the RESCUE nutrition programme
Among respondents who report having engaged with at least one component of RESCUE, six investigator-developed items assess the programme's understandability, relevance to firefighters, practicality for station life and shift work, perceived educational benefit, and support for continued provision. Responses are recorded on a five-point agreement scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree and summarised for each item. Together, these item-level findings will provide a descriptive assessment of programme appraisal and perceived educational benefit at approximately 12 months.
Time frame
Approximately 12 months after programme implementationOther outcomes
1
Change in workplace messing practices (RESCUE Messing Questionnaire Score)
Change in workplace food provision and station messing practices, assessed using the RESCUE Messing Questionnaire completed by watches at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months. The questionnaire assesses the frequency of healthier food provision during station meal preparation, including vegetables, legumes, wholegrains, cooking fats and oils, and protein choices. Questionnaire responses will be combined to produce a RESCUE Messing Questionnaire Score, ranging from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating healthier workplace food provision and messing practices.
Time frame
Baseline before programme implementation and approximately 12 months after programme implementationSponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service
Lead sponsor
Oxford Brookes University
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov