Lifestyle coaching for obese firefighters

"F!reF!ghterF!t": A Randomized Controlled Trial of Lifestyle Coaching Interventions for Obese Firefighters

Not applicable Interventional Cambridge Health Alliance · NCT06890975

This study tests if a 9-month lifestyle coaching program can help obese firefighters improve their health better than the usual care they receive.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexMale
SponsorCambridge Health Alliance Academic / other
Locations1 site (Sommerville, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT06890975 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of a 9-month lifestyle coaching intervention aimed at obese firefighters, comparing it to standard care. The study involves individual and group coaching based on lifestyle medicine principles, focusing on improving body composition and metabolic health. Participants will undergo a baseline health assessment and will be monitored for changes in health metrics over the course of the trial. The goal is to determine if lifestyle coaching can lead to significant health improvements compared to usual care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are male firefighters aged 18-60 with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or greater who are interested in weight loss.

Not a fit: Patients who are female, have a BMI under 30 kg/m², or have certain medical conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could lead to significant weight loss and improved health outcomes for firefighters, reducing their risk of obesity-related diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with lifestyle interventions for obesity, suggesting that this approach may be effective for this population as well.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* males aged 18-60 years who are currently active as volunteer or career firefighters, have a BMI of 30 kg/m² or greater based on self-reported height and weight, and express interest in participating in a study of clinical interventions aimed at improving body composition (weight loss), metabolic status, and quality of life. We will recruit participants from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire, which are part of the Boston metro area.

Exclusion Criteria:

* females\*, BMI less than 30 kg/m² based on self-reported height and weight, active psychosis, and a history or diagnosis during the RCT of a major CVD event (myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, or cerebrovascular accident); cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer); abnormal liver function (aminotransferase, bilirubin, or alkaline phosphatase ≥3 times the upper limit of normal) or renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL/min per 1.73 m²); testosterone treatment; use of anti-obesity (or obesogenic) drugs within the past 6 months; and unwillingness to follow the potential intervention assignments.

  * Because this is an exploratory study, the number of subjects is limited, and men make up roughly 85% of the US fire service, the current proposal is limited to men. In future studies, we will include women firefighters.

Where this trial is running

Sommerville, Massachusetts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Obesity and Obesity-related Medical Conditionsobesityfirefightersdiabetes mellituscoachinghealthy lifestylelifestyle medicinemetabolic syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.