Lecture addresses health and diet issues for FIFO workers

It will include health advice for FIFO workers and their families as part of the university’s research week.

Topics will include protecting your back in physical work, diet and heat acclimatisation.

Gemma Quayle, who recently completed a study on the diet of FIFO workers, said there was evidence that on-site diet may be a factor in an increased risk of chronic disease.

‘I examined what 35 FIFO workers ate on site over a three-day period,’ she said.

‘The average number of servings of vegetables were below recommendations, while many were consuming excessive amounts of discretionary food such as processed meats, pastries, fried food and desserts.’

More than 80 per cent of the men involved in the study were overweight or obese, compared to 70 per cent of men in the general population.

‘We know that carrying extra weight, particularly around the waist, comes with an increased risk of chronic disease,’ she said.

Ms Quayle said there were some small changes workers could make to improve their diets.

‘At sites with self-serve dining halls it is best to limit yourself to one plate, and try to have at least half of the plate filled with vegetables,’ she said.

‘Swapping out a sugary dessert like cake or ice-cream for fruit is another way to cut down on discretionary food.’

The lecture is at ECU Joondalup on Monday, September 15.