Increased pressure to complete data and records online and more time spent in front of a computer are among the reasons Suffolk farmers gave for piling on the pounds as they took part in a weight-loss programme designed specifically for their sector.

Ipswich Star: Dietitician Anna Groom who ran a Fit for Farming programme to help overweight Suffolk farmers to get in shape. She is pictured with business partner Thomas Parry.Dietitician Anna Groom who ran a Fit for Farming programme to help overweight Suffolk farmers to get in shape. She is pictured with business partner Thomas Parry.

Dietitian Anna Groom described her first cohort of 11 male farmers as “fantastic” after they graduated following a 10-week Fit for Farming scheme which she launched in January.

Anna, whose family farms near Sudbury, and who joined her profession 15 years ago, felt there was a need for a slimming club where male farmers could feel comfortable.

She ran the group from Hintlesham, near Ipswich, and compared members’ confidence regarding weight loss before and after the programme.

Over the 10 weeks, the group as a whole lost 56.7kg in weight and only one dropped out due to work commitments.

All gave 8 or more out of 10 for enjoyment of course and 9 or more out of 10 for enjoyment of the nutrition education they were given.

One of the issues in attracting people to attend any weight loss programme was firstly recognising they were overweight and secondly catching people at a time when they are ready to change, she said.

Men found it more difficult to join a ‘slimming club’ due to a false perception they were for women only, she added.

“This programme was aimed at health improvement and feeling better and not looking better,” she said.

“The group were fantastic. They were very supportive of each other, they were very open to new ideas but also ready to challenge on anything they thought might be not so easy to implement.

“The group dynamics were great, with lots of questions being asked and requesting further information on how they could implement the changes into their own diet. The weight loss speaks for itself - the group reported that knowing they were going to be weighed each week supported their motivation to continue their healthier changes.”

She was “extremely proud” of their achievement, she said.

“They all worked so hard, and also provided great feedback for the next group which is coming in later October. The group also requested a follow on programme so will continue to meet monthly to help maintain the motivation.”