Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Related Factors in Korean Career Firefighters in Comparisons With Other Occupational Groups.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its relationships with socio-demographic and lifestyle-related factors in firefighters comparing it to general workers.

METHODS: Data from 257 Korean men career firefighters and 1064 Korean men workers were analyzed.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of MS between firefighters (21.4%) and general workers (25.6%). We found that age and obesity were independent risk factors for MS in both firefighters and general workers. After adjusting for age and obesity, the risk for MS in firefighters was not significantly different from that in the most of occupational groups except sales workers.

CONCLUSIONS: About one-fifth of firefighters had MS showing a similar prevalence compared with general workers. Therefore continuous monitoring and preventive programs for MS are needed in firefighters.