Background: Work organization and psychosocial factors influencing sleep patterns may be significant risk factors for developing obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the impact on the health of working patterns in the fishing sector is not well characterized. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of MetS and its components in fishermen and to analyze occupational-specific risk factors contributing to metabolic alterations. Methods: One hundred forty-three male fishermen from Apulia (Southern Italy) and 93 male university workers age-matched and from the same geographical area were included in this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was administered to investigate socio-demographic variables, work activity, health status, and dietary habits. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation and blood sampling to depict their metabolic profile. Results: A higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.001) were observed in fishermen than in university workers. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in the prevalence of MetS (15.4% fishermen vs 16.1% university workers) and its relevant diagnostic criteria, except abdominal obesity (42.7% fishermen vs 29.0% university workers, p = 0.021). The Castelli risk index, the monocyte/c-HDL ratio, and the Sokolow index were significantly greater in fishermen (p < 0.001). In the fishermen group, the total number of sleeping hours on working days was negatively correlated with WC (r = -0.17; p = 0.04), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (c-LDL) (r = -0.21; p = 0.02), and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (r = -0.19; p = 0.02). Conclusion The higher prevalence of obesity and the imbalance of the metabolic profile observed in fishermen could be related to occupational factors, including the specific working pattern that influences their sleeping hours and sleeping-waking rhythms.

Background: Work organization and psychosocial factors influencing sleep patterns may be significant risk factors for developing obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the impact on the health of working patterns in the fishing sector is not well characterized. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of MetS and its components in fishermen and to analyze occupational-specific risk factors contributing to metabolic alterations. Methods: One hundred forty-three male fishermen from Apulia (Southern Italy) and 93 male university workers age-matched and from the same geographical area were included in this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was administered to investigate socio-demographic variables, work activity, health status, and dietary habits. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation and blood sampling to depict their metabolic profile. Results: A higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.001) were observed in fishermen than in university workers. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in the prevalence of MetS (15.4% fishermen vs 16.1% university workers) and its relevant diagnostic criteria, except abdominal obesity (42.7% fishermen vs 29.0% university workers, p = 0.021). The Castelli risk index, the monocyte/c-HDL ratio, and the Sokolow index were significantly greater in fishermen (p < 0.001). In the fishermen group, the total number of sleeping hours on working days was negatively correlated with WC (r = -0.17; p = 0.04), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (c-LDL) (r = -0.21; p = 0.02), and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (r = -0.19; p = 0.02). Conclusion The higher prevalence of obesity and the imbalance of the metabolic profile observed in fishermen could be related to occupational factors, including the specific working pattern that influences their sleeping hours and sleeping-waking rhythms.

Background: Work organization and psychosocial factors influencing sleep patterns may be significant risk factors for developing obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the impact on the health of working patterns in the fishing sector is not well characterized. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of MetS and its components in fishermen and to analyze occupational-specific risk factors contributing to metabolic alterations. Methods: One hundred forty-three male fishermen from Apulia (Southern Italy) and 93 male university workers age-matched and from the same geographical area were included in this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was administered to investigate socio-demographic variables, work activity, health status, and dietary habits. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation and blood sampling to depict their metabolic profile. Results: A higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.001) were observed in fishermen than in university workers. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in the prevalence of MetS (15.4% fishermen vs 16.1% university workers) and its relevant diagnostic criteria, except abdominal obesity (42.7% fishermen vs 29.0% university workers, p = 0.021). The Castelli risk index, the monocyte/c-HDL ratio, and the Sokolow index were significantly greater in fishermen (p < 0.001). In the fishermen group, the total number of sleeping hours on working days was negatively correlated with WC (r = -0.17; p = 0.04), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (c-LDL) (r = -0.21; p = 0.02), and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (r = -0.19; p = 0.02). Conclusion The higher prevalence of obesity and the imbalance of the metabolic profile observed in fishermen could be related to occupational factors, including the specific working pattern that influences their sleeping hours and sleeping-waking rhythms.

Background: Work organization and psychosocial factors influencing sleep patterns may be significant risk factors for developing obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the impact on the health of working patterns in the fishing sector is not well characterized. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of MetS and its components in fishermen and to analyze occupational-specific risk factors contributing to metabolic alterations. Methods: One hundred forty-three male fishermen from Apulia (Southern Italy) and 93 male university workers age-matched and from the same geographical area were included in this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was administered to investigate socio-demographic variables, work activity, health status, and dietary habits. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation and blood sampling to depict their metabolic profile. Results: A higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.001) were observed in fishermen than in university workers. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in the prevalence of MetS (15.4% fishermen vs 16.1% university workers) and its relevant diagnostic criteria, except abdominal obesity (42.7% fishermen vs 29.0% university workers, p = 0.021). The Castelli risk index, the monocyte/c-HDL ratio, and the Sokolow index were significantly greater in fishermen (p < 0.001). In the fishermen group, the total number of sleeping hours on working days was negatively correlated with WC (r = -0.17; p = 0.04), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (c-LDL) (r = -0.21; p = 0.02), and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (r = -0.19; p = 0.02). Conclusion The higher prevalence of obesity and the imbalance of the metabolic profile observed in fishermen could be related to occupational factors, including the specific working pattern that influences their sleeping hours and sleeping-waking rhythms.

Background: Work organization and psychosocial factors influencing sleep patterns may be significant risk factors for developing obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the impact on the health of working patterns in the fishing sector is not well characterized. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of MetS and its components in fishermen and to analyze occupational-specific risk factors contributing to metabolic alterations. Methods: One hundred forty-three male fishermen from Apulia (Southern Italy) and 93 male university workers age-matched and from the same geographical area were included in this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was administered to investigate socio-demographic variables, work activity, health status, and dietary habits. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation and blood sampling to depict their metabolic profile. Results: A higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.001) were observed in fishermen than in university workers. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in the prevalence of MetS (15.4% fishermen vs 16.1% university workers) and its relevant diagnostic criteria, except abdominal obesity (42.7% fishermen vs 29.0% university workers, p = 0.021). The Castelli risk index, the monocyte/c-HDL ratio, and the Sokolow index were significantly greater in fishermen (p < 0.001). In the fishermen group, the total number of sleeping hours on working days was negatively correlated with WC (r = -0.17; p = 0.04), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (c-LDL) (r = -0.21; p = 0.02), and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (r = -0.19; p = 0.02). Conclusion The higher prevalence of obesity and the imbalance of the metabolic profile observed in fishermen could be related to occupational factors, including the specific working pattern that influences their sleeping hours and sleeping-waking rhythms.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic represented a unique stressful event that affected the physical health and psychological well-being (PWB) of individuals and communities. Monitoring PWB is essential not only to clarify the burden on mental health effects but also to define targeted psychological-supporting measures. This cross-sectional study evaluated the PWB of Italian firefighters during the pandemic. Methods: Firefighters recruited during the pandemic period filled out a self-administered questionnaire, the Psychological General Well-Being Index, during the health surveillance medical examination. This tool is usually used to assess the global PWB and explores six subdomains: anxiety, depressed mood, positive well-being, self-control, general health, and vitality. The influencing roles of age, gender, working activities, COVID-19, and pandemic restrictive measures were also explored. Results: A total of 742 firefighters completed the survey. The aggregate median PWB global score was in the “no distress” range (94.3 ± 10.3), which was higher than that observed in studies conducted using the same tool in the Italian general population during the same pandemic period. Similar findings were observed in the specific subdomains, thus suggesting that the investigated population was in good PWB condition. Interestingly, significantly better outcomes were detected in the younger firefighters. Conclusion Our data showed a satisfactory PWB situation in firefighters that could be related to different professional factors such as work organization and mental and physical training. In particular, our results would suggest the hypothesis that in firefighters, maintaining a minimum/moderate level of physical activity (consisting of even just going to work) might have a profoundly positive impact on psychological health and well-being.