The Riverina Men's Study: Rural Australian Men's Barriers to Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Abstract

This study aims to identify the barriers experienced by a sample of rural Australian men, including farmers, to adhering to a healthy diet and regular physical activity, and solutions to overcoming these barriers. The major barriers to eating a healthy diet were lack of willpower (39%), lack of time (24%) and enjoying eating “unhealthy” foods (24%). Barriers to undertaking physical activity were lack of time (43%), lack of willpower (36%), tiredness (27%) and long hours in sedentary jobs (27%). Eating habits could be improved with simple weekly meal plans (49%), lower cost of healthy food (36%), and growing their own food (34%). More active recreational pursuits could improve physical activity participation (48%). These solutions target efforts to improve health outcomes for rural Australian men.