The Riverina Men's Study: Rural Australian men's barriers to the healthy lifestyle habits

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