Comparison of sedentary behaviours among rural men working in offices and on farms.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare objectively measured sedentary behaviours among rural Australian men working in desk-based offices and on farms during work hours and across the total day.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional observational.

SETTING

The Riverland, South Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants in this study include 29 farmers and 29 office workers (age 30-65 years).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Objectively measured sedentary time (number and length of sedentary bouts) and steps taken, at work and across the total day.

RESULTS

During work time, office workers were significantly more sedentary than farmers (6.6 ± 1.5 hours (mean ± SD) versus 4.3 ± 1.5 hours, P < 0.05), while breaks in sedentary behaviour among office workers were less frequent (45 ± 17 versus 49 ± 17 per day, P < 0.05) and briefer (4.7 ± 6.8 min versus 9.7 ± 6.8 min, P < 0.05). Across the total day, office workers were more sedentary than farmers (10.0 ± 1.6 hours versus 8.1 ± 1.6 hours, P < 0.05). Office workers took fewer steps at work (427 ± 282 versus 882 ± 282 steps hour(-1) , P < 0.05) and across the whole day (8602 ± 3486 versus 11 579 ± 3486 steps day(-1) , P < 0.05) than farmers.

CONCLUSION

In this study, farmers were less sedentary than rural men of similar age who work in offices. Further research is needed to identify reasons for the particularly high prevalence of chronic disease in Australian farmers.