As an ex-dairy farmer and a farm adviser in constant contact with farming clients he had seen and experienced the effect poor lifestyle choices, lack of exercise and constant stress levels could have on farmers’ health.
“We have also witnessed a change in rural communities that has impacted on farmers’ ability to stay fit, alongside the changes onfarm, with greater automation and mechanisation that means they are also not getting the physical challenges on the job any more either,” he said
Handcock’s Kellogg study, Low level physical activity and the impact on the fitness of dairy farmers, was prompted by his observations of his peers’ physical condition, and data that came out of DairyNZ’s Health Pitstop study.
That study involved analysing key health data from 1400 dairy farmers and highlighted the high level of cardiovascular risk the sector presents.
Eighty per cent of the males and 60% of females in the study had body mass index (BMI) levels greater than 25, recognised as the upper limit of World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.
Almost a third of the male farmers and 20% of the female farmers exceeded BMI 30, the WHO classification for obese.
Of additional concern was the finding that in the 2013-14 study 61% of farmers felt despite the more sedentary nature of the job they were concerned about their ability to keep up with the physical demands of the business.
Two-thirds had higher than recommended cholesterol levels, and half returned blood pressure results regarded as moderately high to high.
Handcock’s study involved his own patch around the Hauraki Plains, where he assessed the health and fitness of 30 farmers in September post calving when “work fitness” levels would be at their peak.
His analysis found the farmers in the study were about inline with the 80% with excess BMI, itself above the general population’s level of 64%.
A third had a waist measurement of more than 100cm, and 56% exceeded the recommended WHO waist-hip ratio.
He also tagged 11 of the candidates with heart monitors which revealed the low level of cardiovascular exercise they got throughout the course of the farming day.
With milking needing to be a calm, relaxed affair and often occupying up to half a farmer’s working day, the indicators highlighted the opportunity to lift heart rate through working exercise was severely curtailed.
Typical heart rates were 85-90 beats per minute, and rates never lifted into the medium intense level of 130- 150bpm.
“Farmers will often acknowledge they work long hours, but the decline in fitness relates to that drop in intense cardiovascular work, and then other issues follow.”
That included an accumulation of “belly fat” which can predispose people to type 2 diabetes, and joint issues with heavier weight. Handcock also highlighted the interplay between poor exercise and depression.
He cited Australian research that found increased stress and obesity increased cortisol (stress hormone) levels and reduced endorphin hormone levels responsible for well-being and happiness. This in turn promoted greater stress and fat deposition, creating a “cycle of defeat”.
“It was a shock when I suggested to one farmer group that 73% of them were likely to suffer a cardiovascular event at some stage based on these numbers,” Handcock said.
“However, I went on to say the best thing is you can do something about that to change those numbers.”
Handcock recommended health and fitness needed far greater priority in industry planning to retain existing farmers and attract young staff.
He also recommended the industry work more closely with the likes of performance sport centres while health and fitness should be included in the Primary ITO curriculum.
Cycle tour takes health message to nation
Fit 4 Farming consultant Ian Handcock was so concerned by the results of his Kellogg study into farmer health, he decided to do something about it. The project was the launch pad for his proposed Rural Cycle Tour of New Zealand, to be held in March- April 2016.
The project is driven by his bold vision “to inspire NZ to be the fittest farming nation in the world”.
“I felt we have lost the claim as being the cheapest producer so let’s find something that will benefit everyone in the industry, both farming and agri-professionals.”
The ride will enable cyclists to participate from Ngatea on the Hauraki Plains all the way to Bluff.
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