Health of Icelandic fishermen - 2012 : a follow-up study of physical activity and health

Objectives: To explore the changes in a number of health-related factors of Icelandic fishermen over a period of six years. Furthermore to investigate the long-time effects of a previous lifestyle intervention on physical activity adherence, and various health-related variables. Methods: Icelandic Fishermen (n=77) participated in this study between December 2012 and March 2013, thereof 35 fishermen who participated in a previous study, that included an intervention for improved lifestyle, six years earlier. For comparison, baseline data from the intervention study was available for 62 fishermen. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, estimates of body fat percentage (BF%) and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Blood lipids and blood glucose were measured. Aerobic fitness (W/kg) was measured with a maximal workload on a graded bicycle test and was then later converted into VO2max. Smoking status, physical activity, diagnosed diabetes and blood lipid- and blood pressure medication use was obtained through questionnaires. Health related measurements were compared between different groups using ANCOVA or within-samples t-test when analysing the subgroup of the intervention study. Results: Higher values in diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein total cholesterol and fasting glucose were measured among all fishermen in the year 2013 compared with six years earlier. Average aerobic fitness had decreased by 7% (p=.015) during the same time. Among the intervention group average weight and body mass index had increased by 3% (p=.05) and 3% (p=.047 ) respectively during a 6 year follow-up. Average aerobic fitness had decreased by 11% (p=.0002) in the intervention group. In 2013 self-reported physical activity was relatively higher (42% vs. 30%, p=.435), and smoking was relatively lower (17% vs. 26%, p=.400) in the intervention group compared to other fishermen. Also obesity was lower in the intervention group compared to other fishermen (17% vs. 32%, p=.046). Conclusions: The health condition of fishermen declined over a six years period. The fishermen who had received physical activity and nutrition intervention had mostly returned to their previous state or declined six years later but had better health behaviour and lower prevalence of obesity compared with their younger counterparts.

Author dc:creator

• Eliths Freyr Heimisson 1986-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskóli Íslands

• Íþrótta- og heilsufræði
• Meistaraprófsritgerðir
• Megindlegar rannsóknir
• Sjómenn
• Heilsufar
• Mataræði
• Hreyfing (heilsurækt)
• Fishers
• Quantitative research
• Health
• Diet

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/23022

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/23022