ALMOST 90 PERCENT OF FARMERS OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE
A new study from the Irish Heart Foundation, has found that almost 80 per cent of Irish farmers had four or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
86 per cent of farmers tested were overweight or obese, while 82 per cent had a family history of heart disease or stroke.
Almost half of farmers had high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol levels.
The data was gathered during free health checks offered to farmers at marts across the country.
As a result 8 out of 10 farmers were advised to see their GP for follow-up.
Research has found that farmers are 7 times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than people working in other occupations.