Promoting Men’s Health in a Community

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) and healthy lifestyle habits directly influence physical health and reduce the risk for chronic lifestyle diseases. An interdisciplinary, community-based approach, informed by baselineinformation on PA and lifestyle habits, can play an important role in promoting men’s health.
 Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine and describe PA levels and lifestyle habits of a sport and non-sport group of adult males and determine whether an association existed between PA levels and lifestyle habits.
 Method: A quantitative research design was used in this case-control study. Data was collected using a self-developed demographic questionnaire and two standardised questionnaires, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Belloc and Breslow Seven Lifestyle Habits Questionnaire.
 Results: A total of 102 males aged between 25 and 35 years were included in this study. The only comorbidity reported was hypertension (5.9%). The self-reported PA levels of 51% of the participants in the sport group were classified as health-enhancing, while 27.5% of the participants in the non-sport group were classified as inactive. The two groups were comparable regarding healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating breakfast, not smoking and minimal alcohol consumption. However, cross tabulation of PA levels with lifestyle habits showed that no participant in the sport group exhibited low levels of PA combined with poor lifestyle habits.
 Conclusion: The baseline information on PA and lifestyle habits of males obtained in this study supports the suggested strategies for healthcare professionals. Through these strategies, healthcare professionals can support communities to increase their PA levels and educate them on healthy lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of chronic lifestyle diseases.