Factors related to firefighters’ food behaviors at the fire station: a quantitative study

Objective Using a cross-sectional correlational study, the purpose was to quantitatively investigate factors associated to firefighters’ food behaviors while on duty at the fire station. Methods Two hundred and fifty-two (252) firefighters (males: 96%; age: 39 ± 11 years) completed an online questionnaire assessing diet and exploring factors that could be associated to firefighters’ food behaviors at the fire station. Results First regression analysis showed that level of education, years of experience, self-perceived nutrition knowledge, autonomous motivation and accessibility to unhealthy foods were the best predictors of healthy food score. Second regression analysis revealed that body mass index (BMI), autonomous motivation and meals interrupted by emergency calls were the best predictors of fast-food score. Conclusions This study highlights the various factors associated with firefighters' food behaviors at the fire station.