As we roll into November, there will be multiple media campaigns reminding men to get themselves checked. It is very likely that as part of those health checks, the patient will be asked to get on the scale. How many men will be told that they should take steps to reduce their weight? And more importantly, how many men will be offered supports to lose the weight? Statistically, probably not as many that need it.
It is important to talk about weight during Men’s Health Awareness Month. In Ireland, men are more likely to be above a healthy weight or obese compared to women. 43% of men versus 31% of women are above a healthy weight. 25% of men versus 22% of women are obese. If we break this down by age, 65% of those aged 15-24 are a healthy weight, but this dramatically decreases to only 35% by age 24, and then only fewer than 20% of men are a healthy weight by age 64. Obesity in 51- 64 year old Irish men has risen 42%. . A NIHR study found that the likelihood of men returning to healthy weight was only 1: 210 compared to 1:124 in women. Studies also show that not only are men more likely to be above a healthy weight, but that men are more likely than women to need the supports to lost weight.
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