Alarm bells sounded over health of Irish farmers

Shock new research has revealed that Irish farmers are three times more likely to have a heart attack of stroke than many others, and that almost nine out of every 10 farmers are either overweight or obese.

The study, published on Thursday as part of Men’s Health Week, has found that 74% of male farmers have four, or more, risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

This means they are three times more likely to have an acute cardiac event (stroke or heart attack) compared to those with fewer risk factors.

75% of all farmers participating in the research were advised to visit their GP to get further support and advice.

These findings come from a study involving Teagasc, the National Centre for Men’s Health (NCMH) at IT Carlow, the Irish Heart Foundation, Glanbia Ireland, the HSE and UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences that saw 868 male farmers undergo health checks in marts and Glanbia Ireland Agribusiness branches across the south, east and midlands.

The lead author of the study, Diana van Doorn, a PhD Walsh Scholar at Teagasc and the National Centre for Men’s Health at IT Carlow, said that whilst the top line figures paint a worrying picture there are positives.

“We found that the majority of farmers reported having visited their GP in the past year, fewer farmers smoke or drink compared to the general population and farmers, by virtue of their occupation, get a lot of physical activity. There are however areas of concern identified by the study.”

Dr David Meredith, Teagasc, highlighted that, internationally, there are few studies of this scale. “With over 800 farmers participating in the health checks and the trial phase, this gives us insights not only into the health of farmers in general but also how demographic and social characteristics influence health.”

A number of the findings are of particular concern. Results show that the majority of farmers (85.9%) are living with either overweight or obesity. This is substantially higher than the national average for Irish men (68%).

Four in five (80.5%) farmers were classified as having an ‘at risk’ waist circumference of ≥94 cm (37 inches). Abdominal weight is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Marese Damery, Health Check Manager/Health Promotion, Irish Heart Foundation said: “We have seen already through the Covid-19 crisis that one out of every two patients presenting to intensive care units have serious heart conditions with more men than women becoming critically ill.

"This research has shown that farmers have multiple heart and stroke risk factors and really highlights the importance of providing farmers and men in general with local access to health checks and interventions programmes. We hope that by continuing to work in collaboration, and leading the health checks, we can do this.”

In relation to eating habits, the majority of farmers (72.1%) reported consuming salty and/or sugary snacks on a daily basis which is higher than the national average of 34% (not gender specific).

One in five farmers (21.9%) reported consuming deep fried food three, or more times a week, and most (79.3%) reported not meeting the recommended daily intake of 5 or more portions of fruit and vegetables. This is higher than 70% of the national population of Irish males.

Key preventative approaches are available from the HSE (https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/c/cardiovascular-disease/) and the Irish Heart Foundation website (www.irishheart.ie).

Farmers Have Hearts Cardiovascular Health Programme - Detailed and Baseline Reports are available to download here https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2020/farmers-have-hearts-cardiovascular-health-programme.php

Authors:   Diana van Doorn, Dr Noel Richardson, Dr David Meredith, Dr John McNamara, Dr Aoife Osborne, Dr Catherine Blake. June 2020.