Research by a South African physician indicates that 70% of men in this country face health risks due to being overweight. An alarming 20% of men are obese.
This research was conducted by Dr Gary Hudson, a Johannesburg-based physician with a special interest in obesity and metabolic disorders.
His research affirmed that, while men tend to be active until the age of 20, exercise seems to taper off after that. By the time they reach the age of 40, only 30% of men remain active.
Of these, very few do cardiovascular training, with most preferring to concentrate on weight training.
Hudson also added that men’s food portions are simply too big, and tend to consume more fat, protein, alcohol and soft drinks than women.
Furthermore, Hudson’s research pointed out that obese men tend to suffer from more sleep disturbances such as snoring and sleep apnea.
Men are proven to have more visceral and less subcutaneous fat, making obesity nearly three times more deadly for men than for women.
Obesity has been shown to take a special toll on men, greatly affecting their hormones, sexuality and prostate health.
- Hudson’s research showed that the global prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled since 1975.
Obesity is estimated to affect 11% of men and 15% of women globally, which loosely translates to 600 million obese adults around the world.
According to Hudson, obesity lowers men’s testosterone levels and increases their risk of erectile dysfunction. Obesity may also impair fertility.
The World Health Organisation recommends that, to lose weight, people should limit the intake of fats and sugars, increase the consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts, and engage in at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week.
