Research Plus

Fat fighters

Multifaceted interventions are most effective in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among emergency service workers, this systematic review finds. Outcome measures included blood pressure, blood lipids, body composition (body fat percentage and BMI), fasting blood glucose, CVD incidence, smoking and physical activity. Methodological quality was weak for all but one of the 15 included studies. Programmes combining behavioural counselling, exercise and nutrition are likely to be more effective than single interventions, though higher quality research is needed before the most effective strategies can be determined. CVD risk factor analysis in isolation is not recommended as an intervention to improve body composition.

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 2013; 86(3): 245–260

Tags audit cardiovascular evidence based practice obesity

Occupational Health at Work August/September 2013 (vol. 10/2) pp40