Men's Health

Traditionally in Australia, men have not been as concerned about their health and lifestyle as women. Today, 68% of men aged 18+ years are overweight or obese (42% overweight and 26% obese).

You might say, “so what?”. However Australian men are starting to take heed regarding advice about living a healthier lifestyle. One of the main reasons for this change is that men are living on average four years less than women. That is, four less birthdays, four less Christmases, experiencing four less grand finals for their favourite football team.

In reality, men actually should find it easier than women to manage their weight. In general, men have more lean tissue (muscle) than women. It’s this lean tissue that is metabolically active, which means a man will burn more energy compared to a woman of the same age and weight.

Therefore why are men struggling when they have such an advantage?

Men at Work

Statistically men work on average 10 hours longer than women per week. This often results in a lack of planning ahead. Many men will walk out the door without breakfast and when they get hungry around lunchtime they grab a burger and chips. Because of this, a lot of men will then get the afternoon ‘snack attack’ and look for chocolates or lollies for an afternoon energy boost.

Portions

Men will often eat whatever they are served. A meal of steak and salad might be enough to satisfy their hunger, however if chips are served with it, they will get eaten even though they are not hungry.

Liquid Calories/Energy

Men generally drink more calories/energy in the form of soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee and alcohol. 600mL of soft drink or two stubbies of mid strength beer have nearly as many calories/energy as an entire meal or sandwich (~250cals/1045kJ).

Peer Group Pressure

Men feel peer pressure especially at social events. They quickly revert to the ‘social norm’ of a plateful of meat and a beer, after all “you don’t win friends with salad”!

The problem with these issues is that they cause men to gain weight around the stomach/abdomen. This type of weight raises a man’s risk of Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and some forms of cancer. All of these factors mean men are dying younger than their female counterparts.

We Can Help!

We are seeing more and more men coming into the Wesley LifeShape Clinic each year. Some of them feel more comfortable discussing their issues with male Dietitians or coaches, which is a service that can be provided. Men are also coming in for different reasons. In the past, men would come in after their Doctor had “read the riot act” and told them to lose weight. However, there is a growing number who simply want to improve their health, increase their energy or just feel better on that summer holiday to the beach.

When men come into the clinic and get started on the program, they get great results. They generally tend to stay more focused and can develop new habits quickly. Therefore if you (or the man in your life) would like to wake up with more energy, get more done each day, become fitter, look better in clothes or live to see the grand kids grow up, then book an initial consultation at the Wesley LifeShape Clinic and get started.