Civilians Have Higher Adherence and More Improvements in Health With a Mediterranean Diet and Circuit Training Program Compared With Firefighters

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between diet adherence and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-reduction between civilians and firefighters with a 6-week Mediterranean diet and tactical training intervention. METHODS: Forty firefighters and 30 civilians participated. Blood pressure, body composition, lipid levels, vascular measures, and aerobic capacity were measured pre- and post-intervention. Diet was self-report based on number of servings consumed. Weekly diet-scores were calculated. RESULTS: Both groups had improvements in blood pressure and body composition. Civilians had improved lipid levels, higher overall adherence, a relationship between total Med-diet score and cholesterol (R = 0.68), and higher servings consumed in foods typical of Mediterranean-dietary pattern ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first exercise and diet intervention comparing firefighters to civilians. Adherence to a Mediterranean-dietary pattern coupled with exercise is effective at improving cardiac health. These findings substantiate the need for wellness interventions in firefighters.