Ruth Kavanagh1,2, Diane Cooper2, John Bolton2, Laura Keaver3. 1. Department of Health and Nutritional Science, Institute of Technology Sligo, Co. Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Ireland. 2. True Fitness, Portarlington, Co. Laois, Ireland. 3. Department of Health and Nutritional Science, Institute of Technology Sligo, Co. Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Ireland. Keaver.Laura@itsligo.ie.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is a higher prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases among Irish farmers than the general adult population. Lifestyle interventions that increase physical activity and improve dietary patterns have been associated with reduced chronic disease risk and improved quality of life among high-risk populations. The impact of lifestyle interventions among Irish farmers is unknown. AIM: To assess the effectiveness of a community-based intervention on farmer health, cardiovascular fitness, lower limb strength endurance, and dietary intake. METHODS: A 6-week physical activity and lifestyle education intervention involving two 60-min circuit-based exercise training sessions and one 60-min health education workshop per week was implemented. Pre- and post-measurements included total body weight, body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, resting blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, cardiovascular fitness, lower limb strength, perceived physical and mental health, and dietary intake. RESULTS: Thirty farmers completed the intervention giving an adherence rate of 75%. At baseline, mean BMI (32.7 ± 4.1 kg/m2), body fat percent (31.7 ± 6.7), waist circumference (110.2 ± 10.4 cm), systolic (128.7 ± 7.8 mmHg) and diastolic (86.2 ± 6.8 mmHg) blood pressure were higher than recommended levels. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) were found for total body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, cardiovascular fitness, lower limb strength endurance, systolic blood pressure, total energy, total fat, total unsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, saturated fat, trans fat, total carbohydrate, sodium, cholesterol and percentage energy intakes of total fat, saturated fat, protein, and physical and mental health scores. CONCLUSIONS: Irish farmers remain at high risk of developing chronic diseases but respond positively to lifestyle intervention.
BACKGROUND: There is a higher prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases among Irish farmers than the general adult population. Lifestyle interventions that increase physical activity and improve dietary patterns have been associated with reduced chronic disease risk and improved quality of life among high-risk populations. The impact of lifestyle interventions among Irish farmers is unknown. AIM: To assess the effectiveness of a community-based intervention on farmer health, cardiovascular fitness, lower limb strength endurance, and dietary intake. METHODS: A 6-week physical activity and lifestyle education intervention involving two 60-min circuit-based exercise training sessions and one 60-min health education workshop per week was implemented. Pre- and post-measurements included total body weight, body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, resting blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, cardiovascular fitness, lower limb strength, perceived physical and mental health, and dietary intake. RESULTS: Thirty farmers completed the intervention giving an adherence rate of 75%. At baseline, mean BMI (32.7 ± 4.1 kg/m2), body fat percent (31.7 ± 6.7), waist circumference (110.2 ± 10.4 cm), systolic (128.7 ± 7.8 mmHg) and diastolic (86.2 ± 6.8 mmHg) blood pressure were higher than recommended levels. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) were found for total body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, cardiovascular fitness, lower limb strength endurance, systolic blood pressure, total energy, total fat, total unsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, saturated fat, trans fat, total carbohydrate, sodium, cholesterol and percentage energy intakes of total fat, saturated fat, protein, and physical and mental health scores. CONCLUSIONS: Irish farmers remain at high risk of developing chronic diseases but respond positively to lifestyle intervention.
Authors: Christine G Parks; Armando Meyer; Laura E Beane Freeman; Jonathan N Hofmann; Dale P Sandler Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2019-02-13 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Margareta K Eriksson; Lars Hagberg; Lars Lindholm; Eva-Britt Malmgren-Olsson; Jonas Osterlind; Mats Eliasson Journal: Arch Intern Med Date: 2010-09-13
Authors: Jenna K Waggoner; Greg J Kullman; Paul K Henneberger; David M Umbach; Aaron Blair; Michael C R Alavanja; Freya Kamel; Charles F Lynch; Charles Knott; Stephanie J London; Cynthia J Hines; Kent W Thomas; Dale P Sandler; Jay H Lubin; Laura E Beane Freeman; Jane A Hoppin Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2010-11-17 Impact factor: 4.897