Author of Report: Lucia CanavanHealth Promotion Researcher
Dr. Paula Carroll, Centre for Health Behaviour Research, Waterford Institute of Technology and Men's Health Researcher, Health Services Executive
To increase the level of physical activity amongst men over 35 years of age in 3 pilot sites in Co. Mayo
Aim of Programme
What impact has the Programme had on? Objective risk factors Physical Activity Lifestyle Behaviours Mental Health and Well-being
What motivated the men to participate in the Programme?
What were the characteristics of the Programme that appealed to the men and supported their engagement?
Has physical activity behaviour change been maintained at 6 months?
Research Questions
Methodology
Informed consentTimeline: Data Collection0-24 weeks
Quantitative Data Health Screenings Self-reported
questionnaires Fitness tests
Qualitative Study Interviews Focus Groups
Phase 1
0-9 wks
End of Programme16 wks
Follow-up20 wk
24 wks
Demographic Profile
74.7% of the men aged between 35-54 years
68% of the men were employed
52% of the men completed some form of post leaving certificate education
Risk Factor & Health Profile
Over 70% of the men had High Blood Pressure (≥140/90mmHg)
87.7% of the men were actively trying to manage their weight
Two thirds of the men (68.9%) in high risk category for waist circumference (>102cms/40”)
Over 65% of the men were in the obese categories based on BMI calculations
Only 35.4% of the men were happy with energy levels
Results - Baseline Profile
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Cont.
Normal (18.5-24.9kg/m2)
Overweight/preobese (25-29.9kg/m2)
Moderately obese (30-34.9kg/m2)
Severely obese (35-39.9kg/m2)
Very severely obese (≥40kg/m2)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
1
33
44
14
7
N=72
Percentage
Physical Activity
Minimum physical activity guideline:30 minutes of at least moderateintensity activity on 5 days a week
(The National Guidelines on Physical Activity for Ireland, 2009)
30% of the men did not meet the recommended guideline for physical activity
Less than quarter of the men (23%) participated in vigorous/strenuous activity ‘high’ active
(1 hour of moderate intensity PA per day or 30 minutes of vigorous intensity PA per day)
Mental health and Well-being
17% of the men reported that their lives were limited by anxiety, stress or depression ‘moderately’ or ‘quite a lot’
Over 27% of men reported that they were ‘slightly’ affected by anxiety, stress or depression
Cont.
Health Status Improvements observed in perceived health, 52% of
men reported ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ health at end of Programme compared to 37% at the start of the Programme
Mental Health & Well-being No major improvements seen in mental health,
emotional health, and Social Functioning Domains
However in the Vitality Domain - marked increase in level of energy with 68.2% of men happier with energy levels compared to 35.4% at the start of the Programme
Results – Impact of the Programme
Waist Circumference
Cont.
Healthy (<94 cms) Increased Risk (94-101.9 cms)
High Risk (>102 cms)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
12
22
66
15
34
51
22
35
43
Start of Programme N=74End Phase 1 N=80End of Programme N=49
Perc
enta
ge
BMICont.
BMI Ranges Classification Risk of co-morbidities Start of Programme
End of Phase 1 End of Programme
N=72%
N=84%
N=49%
<18.50KG/m2 Underweight Low (risk of other clinical problems increased)
0 0 0
18.5-24.9kg/m2 Normal Average 1.4 4.8 8.2
25-29.9kg/m2 Overweight/Preobese
Increased 33.3 38.1 46.9
30-34.9kg/m2 Obese class 1 Moderate 44.4 40.5 32.7
35-39.9kg/m2 Obese class 2 Severe 13.9 14.3 8.2
≥40kg/m2 Obese class 3 Very severe 6.9 2.4 4.1
Fitness Levels
Reduction in Fitness Test Time between Start of Programme and End of Programme
CONT.
No change
<5%
5-10.9%
11-15.9%
16-20.9%
21-25.9%
26-30%
>30%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
5
8
14
24
8
11
11
19
N=37
Percentage
Reducti
on in F
itness T
imes C
ate
gori
es
Sub-group Study on 3 health related profiles Significant reduction seen in mean waist circumference
differences between the start of the Programme and the end of the Programme of 4.5cms (p<0.05), N=36
Significant mean BMI values difference were also observed between the start of the Programme and the end of the Programme from 30.8 to 29.9 (p<0.05), N=37
Significant mean fitness test times differences observed between start of the Programme and end of programme of 148.7 seconds (p<0.05), N=37
Cont.
Physical Activity Decreases observed in ‘Low’
active category
Increases observed in number of men meeting guidelines ‘Moderate’ category
Increases observed in number of men in the ‘High’ active category
Decreases observed in sedentary behaviour
Cont.
Lifestyle Behaviours
The average number of drinks consumed increased from 6.5 standard drinks at the start of the Programme to 8 standard drinks at the end of the Programme
The majority of men still do not meet the recommended guidelines of 5 or more portions of fruit and vegetable (start of Programme: 93.7%: end of Programme: 94%)
An increase in the consumption of red meat ‘4-6 times a week’ was seen
Overall a pattern of reduction in the consumption of fried food was observed
A reduction were seen in the use of salt while cooking
Cont.
A targeted approach in recruiting men for the Programme
Continue to utilise novel strategies to engage men
Include a more comprehensive approach to health education
Mental Health Promotion
Men on the Move Maintenance Programme
Acknowledge the importance of the social aspects of Sports Programme like Men on the Move
Conclusion & Recommendations
Copies of full report are available from:Primary Care Services,St. Mary’s Headquarters,Health Service Executive, Castlebar,Co. Mayo.Telephone: 094 9042019Email: [email protected]