Lucia Canavan 11/06/2014

Author of Report: Lucia Canavan Health 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

 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?

Informed consent Timeline: Data Collection 0-24 weeks  Quantitative Data  Health Screenings  Self-reported questionnaires  Fitness tests  Qualitative Study  Interviews  Focus Groups Phase wks End of Programme 16 wks Follow-up 20 wk 24 wks

Demographic Profile  74.7% of the men aged between 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

 Body Mass Index (BMI)

Physical Activity Minimum physical activity guideline: 30 minutes of at least moderate intensity 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

 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

 Waist Circumference

 BMI BMI RangesClassificationRisk 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) kg/m2 NormalAverage kg/m2 Overweight/ Preobese Increased kg/m2 Obese class 1Moderate kg/m2 Obese class 2Severe ≥40kg/m2 Obese class 3Very severe

 Fitness Levels Reduction in Fitness Test Time between Start of Programme and End of Programme

 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 seconds (p<0.05), N=37

 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

 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

 Qualitative Study

 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

Thank you to all the men who contributed to this study

Copies of full report are available from: Primary Care Services, St. Mary’s Headquarters, Health Service Executive, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Telephone: