Why Women Live Longer than Men
When it comes to health, there's a big difference between the sexes. On average, men die at a younger age than women. They have five times the risk of heart disease as women, and are more likely to have high blood pressure. Men under 65 are four times more likely to commit suicide than women, while injury rates in men under the age of 2 are nearly three times higher than in women. What's wrong with them?There are some biological reasons why women tend to be healthier than their husbands - up until menopause, for instance, female hormones help protect women from heart disease. But one of the main reasons why men are the least healthy sex is the way they live. Men are more likely to smoke and to drink too much alcohol, while their traditional involvement in high-risk activities such as sport, dangerous jobs and dangerous driving means they are injured, or die of injuries, more frequently than women.
Not only are men less careful about preventing skin cancer by protecting their skin from the sun, men are also less careful about what they eat. Studies into what men and women eat have found some interesting differences. Men eat more fatty foods than women and a high fat diet can contribute to problems like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer.
Men eat more meat than women (and are less likely to trim the fat off it), eat more take-away foods, sweets, cakes, desserts, but eat fewer fresh vegetables and fruit. So it's no wonder that more men than women are overweight - and, again, this can contribute to many other problems such as back pain, arthritis pain and gall stones.
But what surprises many people is that although men are the least healthy sex, they're also less likely than women to see a doctor. Surely people who don't see a doctor are more likely to be healthier than those who do? Although this is partly true, it's also important to remember that visiting the doctor also helps keep people healthy. Getting advice about symptoms as soon as possible can help prevent serious problems developing later. Yet there are some men who feel it's so important to appear strong and tough that they don't report symptoms to their doctor until it's too late.
But men have a better chance of staying stronger and fitter for longer if they look after their health more. Losing their pot bellies is a good start. Up to one in two men living in Australia has a pot belly, and this can take years off his life. Even if the rest of a man's body is quite slim, having fat stored around the abdomen increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. The way to shrink a pot belly is to eat fewer fatty foods, drink less sugary soft drink and alcohol and eat more vegetables and fruit - and be more active. Walk wherever possible, rather than just getting in the car, walk up the stairs instead of taking the lift or escalator, do active tasks around the house instead of asking the kids to do them, and take up a regular sport or activity - even if it's just regular walks with a friend.
It's also important to have your blood pressure checked. If it's been a while since you have had it done - or if you've never had it done at all - ask your doctor to check it soon.