Study finds over half of Estonian, Latvian firefighters overweight

More than half of professional firefighters in Estonia and Latvia are overweight or sleep-deprived, according to a study reported by ERR. Researchers from Tallinn University of Technology and Riga Technical University examined health data, physical activity and psychosocial working conditions among more than 1,000 firefighters in the two countries.

Nearly 55 percent of the firefighters were either overweight or obese. Although most men sleep between six and nine hours before a shift, only about one in 10 said they consistently felt rested. More than half also reported back pain.

The study found differences between the two countries. Latvian firefighters more often experienced anger and panic attacks, while their Estonian colleagues reported more difficulty concentrating and digestive problems.

Researchers linked the health problems to an imbalance between heavy job demands and limited opportunities for recovery. Firefighters face extreme physical exertion, irregular shifts and exposure to traumatic events.

The situation is made more difficult by the need for additional employment. More than 55 percent of firefighters in Latvia and 40 percent in Estonia have a second job to make a living. This reduces the time available for exercise and rest. Just over half of respondents in Latvia had time to train, compared with slightly more than 63 percent in Estonia.

The researchers said the solution lies in changing how organisations arrange work. Firefighters’ health problems cannot be solved simply by telling them to exercise more, they said. Institutions should instead build physical training and set rest periods into the shift system.

The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences.