Young unfit men may die four years earlier than women due to bad habits in their 20s and 30s
YOUNG blokes are being urged to shape up to avoid the prospect of an early grave as the State Government today launches a campaign aimed at teaching men basic diet and lifestyle changes that could add years to their lives.
NSW
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YOUNG men are being urged to shape up to avoid an early grave after shock figures revealed more than half of them are overweight.
NSW Health research shows that overweight men can expect to die four years earlier than women because of bad habits they develop in their 20s and 30s.
The research shows more than half of men aged 24-34 are either overweight or obese and they are more likely to smoke — setting themselves up for a lifetime of health problems.
Department deputy secretary Nigel Lyons said the problem was made worse by men aged younger than 40 being less likely than older men to seek medical help for preventable illnesses.
“Young men are living life large and they consider themselves young, fit and healthy and the evidence is men don’t seek care as much as they should for health conditions,” Dr Lyons said.
He said small changes to diet, exercise and personal relationships could make a big difference to obese men.
The NSW government will today launch a campaign aimed at teaching men basic diet and lifestyle changes that could add years to their lives.
Five steps to becoming a healthier man
1. Ditch sugar-filled soft drinks and switch to water
2. Eat two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables every day
3. Exercise for at least 150 minutes every week
4. Work on maintaining positive personal relationships with friends, parents and partners
5. Focus on building a career in a stable industry you are passionate about
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These include eating at least two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables a day and doing 150 minutes of exercise a week.
“Relationships are really a key thing for men as well as having a stable and positive working career so that they feel they like have some sense of identity and self-worth,” Dr Lyons said.
“Positive relationships with parents, partners and friends are important as it reinforces behaviours and we have seen that these men pay more attention to their health.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard will launch the Men’s Health Framework as part of Men’s Health Week.
“For some men, as they grow older and their waistlines expand, their lifespan shrinks,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This strategy is all about helping men find simple ways to get healthy, through both diet and lifestyle, and live longer.”
Sam Champtaloup, 26 from Coogee, said education was important, but so was making exercise options affordable to encourage men to change their bad habits.
“There should be more free fitness events that encourage people to exercise and get involved rather than just telling people they need to do more,” he said.