The Relationship between Diet and Suicide Risk and Resilience in Wildland Firefighters

Abstract

Background: Wildland firefighters (WLFF) are an occupational group that experience greater stress than the general population, which can impair mental health. Currently little research exists on dietary habits and their relation to mental health among WLFF. The purpose of this study was to determine diet quality of WLFF and its relationship to various mental health indicators. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a convenience sample of 37 WLFF. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour recall entered into nutrient analysis software for nutrient content and scored using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI) for diet quality. Mental health was assessed using several indices for suicidality, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and alcohol use. Nutrient intake and HEI scores were compared to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Relationships between HEI scores and mental health indices were determined using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: Mean (± standard deviation) age was 40.0 ± 11.7 years, respectively, and 87.1% of participants were Caucasian. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 28.1 ± 4.5 kg/m². Mean HEI score was 52.5 ± 14.8 out of 100, 10.6% lower than the general US population. Added sugar, refined grains, and total protein all had scores between 81–100/100, representing adequate intake. Total HEI, saturated fat, total vegetable, and sodium scores were between 51–80/100, representing need for improvement. Seafood/plant protein, dairy, whole grains, and total fruit scores were between 0–50/100, representing poor intake. Relationships between HEI scores and mental health indices were significant, moderate, and inverse (beneficial) for total HEI, dark greens and legumes, and fatty acid ratio scores with Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (Audit), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Conclusions: diet quality for the diets of WLFF is lower than the general US population, in significant need of improvement, and potentially impacting mental health status.