Farmers among the healthiest workers in the UK
New research has shown people who work in agriculture are among the healthiest in the UK.
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Abi Kay
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IronmongeryDirect surveyed over 2,000 adults and found those working as farm managers, mechanics, technicians and administrators topped the health scale.
The average agriculture worker is active for four and half hours per day, second only to people working in the trades and health and fitness industries.
It is thought working in huge open spaces, as well as having fewer sugary treats which are commonplace in offices, is what gives agriculture workers the health edge.
Wayne Lysaght-Mason, managing director of IronmongeryDirect, said: “Incorporating elements of a healthy lifestyle into your working day is essential. A balanced diet, regular breaks from your desk or computer screen, fresh air and moderate exercise are important.”
Farm animals
The survey findings follow new research which showed sialic acid found in farm animals prevents inflammation of lung tissue.
It is known microbes on farms protect children from asthma and allergies, but immunologists from the University of Zurich were the first to reveal non-microbial molecules have a protective effect too.
Remo Frei from the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research, who headed up the study, said: “Early childhood contact with animals and the consumption of food of animal origin seems to regulate the inflammatory reactions of the immune system.
“Farm children have many more antibodies in their blood, and children with more antibodies suffered considerably less from asthma.”
Top Five Healthiest Jobs
1. Trades (construction, plumbing) – 7 hours of activity per day
2. Health and fitness – 5 hours of activity per day
3. Agriculture – 4.5 hours of activity per day
4. Retail - 3.5 hours of activity per day
5. Manufacturing – 3 hours of activity per day
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