Understanding Shedders: Which Sociodemographic, Health and Wellbeing Characteristics Best Inform Appropriate Health Promotion Action and A ‘Shed for Life’?

Abstract

Issue Addressed: Men’s Sheds (‘Sheds’) have been identified as inherently health promoting and as potential settings to engage ‘hard-to-reach’ men in more structured health promotion initiatives. However, little is known about the sociodemographic or health and wellbeing characteristics of Shed members (‘Shedders’) on which such initiatives might be based. This study captures a baseline cross sectional analysis of Shedders (n=384) who participated in ‘Sheds for Life’, a health promotion initiative tailored to Sheds. Methods: Objective health measure, (body composition, blood pressure, blood lipids) captured via health screening as well as sociodemographic and health and wellbeing measures (physical activity, subjective wellbeing, mental health, social capital, cooking and diet) via questionnaires were assessed. Results: Participants were mostly over 65 years, retired with limited educational attainment. The majority were in the ‘at-risk’ categories for objective health measures, with most being referred to their GP following health screening. Older Shedders were also more likely to meet physical activity guidelines. Mental wellbeing was positively correlated with life satisfaction and increased social capital and these were also positively correlated with physical activity. Conclusions: Findings highlight the potential of Sheds in reaching a ‘hard-to-reach’ and ‘at-risk’ cohort of men. Despite a high prevalence of ‘at-risk’ objective health measures, participants report their health in positive terms. Future health promotion initiatives should capitalise on the inherent health promoting properties of Sheds. So what? Findings raise important implications for prioritising and designing health promotion initiatives in Shed settings.

Sheds for Life: Health and Wellbeing outcomes of a tailored community- based health promotion initiative for Men’s Sheds in Ireland

“…The baseline characteristics of SFL participants (n = 384), including demographics as well as objective and subjective health measures, have been described in detail elsewhere [31]. Overall the results highlighted that a majority of this population of Shedders were over 65 years (77.2%) with a mean age of 69.1 ± 9.14 within a range of 27-90 years.…”

“…Most participants were not currently in employment (88.6%), while the majority were married (74.2%), with over a quarter (25.8%) separated or divorced and 17.8% living alone. In terms of health status, an earlier publication from this study [31] has indicated that while the majority of Shedders rate their subjective wellbeing in positive terms, their objective health measures place them in an 'at-risk' category in terms of hypertension (84.1%), overweight and obesity (86.8%) and high waist circumference (78.3%), with the majority (68.2%) physically inactive. Following their initial health check, the vast majority of Shedders (79.6%) were referred to their GP based on a parameter of concern arising from the health check results.…”

“…Following this analysis, a binary logistic regression model was used to control for various factors when assessing the signi cance of the relationship between these factors. The selection of the dependent and independent variables was guided by previous work and speci c patterns that emerged from the data [31].…”

“…Originating in Australia in the 1980s, Sheds have ourished organically in Ireland since their arrival in 2011 and are testament to a need for men to identify with a space that facilitates meaning, social support, safety and belonging [3,29]. Moreover, due to their organic and informal nature, research has found that Sheds appeal to HTR groups of men [30,31]. Based upon their inherent health promoting qualities and ready access to men who may be reticent to engage with traditional health services, Sheds represent an attractive setting in which to build structured health initiatives.…”

“…It was estimated that 565 of participating Shed members were active members at the time of recruitment, with the majority of these (n = 421; 75%) opting to participate in SFL and the supporting evaluation. An assessment at baseline of the population who opted into SFL also suggested that a signi cant proportion met the criteria of being HTR, suggesting that the recruitment strategy was effective in engaging the target group [31,42]. Inclusion criteria comprised all adult males who were active Shed members, had a good pro ciency in the English language, and could give informed consent.…”