According to national health data, most Australian men think they’re fighting fit…but that same data
shows most of them have room for improvement.
Data published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that 3 in 5 Aussie men would rate their
own health as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’.
But that same data has shown that across several important health metrics, there’s some room for
improvement.1
It would seem there’s a bit of a disconnect here. Does this hold true for you? Are you missing something in
terms of taking care of yourself?
Here’s what the data shows – and what you can do about it.
Only 1 in 2 men get enough physical activity
That’s right, only about half of Aussie men are getting enough exercise.
What is ‘enough'?
For adults aged 18 – 64, it’s 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate physical activity a week and
muscle-strengthening exercises at least two days a week.1
If you like, you can do 1.25 – 2.5 hours of vigorous intensity physical activity instead, or a combination
of both moderate and vigorous.
For adults aged 65 and over, it’s recommended to get 30 minutes of moderate activity on most, preferably
all, days.1
Why should you do it?
Getting this much activity on a consistent basis can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and
other chronic conditions.1
It can also have positive mental health effects – and can even help the guy in the mirror achieve a healthy
weight. (Who is that guy?)
- If you’re not used to regular exercise, start small and gradually build up.2 You’re
not running laps with Cathy Freeman. Go at your own pace and set realistic goals.
- Not into pumping iron? Group fitness classes like yoga and Pilates can be great for strengthening your
muscles.
- Don’t forget HBF can help you achieve your fitness goals. Check out our gym membership deal
with Snap Fitness.
Fewer than 1 in 30 men eat enough fruit and vegetables
It’s not just children who don’t eat enough greens these days. Less than half (47%) of men over the
age of 18 are getting enough fruit, and only 1 in 25 of them are getting enough veg.3
Who gets enough of both fruit and veg? Fewer than 1 in 30 Aussie men, that’s who.
What can you do about it?
- Health experts recommend eating two serves of fruit and five to six serves of vegetables each day (fun fact:
cider is not a fruit).4
- Search for veggie-packed recipes for inspiration. Here are five tips to help
you find healthy recipes online.
- Try to choose a variety of colours in your fruit and vegetables (this helps to ensure you are getting a
great mix of nutrients).4
3 in 4 men are carrying excess weight
While social media might have declared that “dadbods” are cool in recent years, the fact is that
being overweight or obese can put you at higher risk for certain diseases or conditions.5
The good news? Achieving a healthy weight can have long-term health benefits.
- Eating a balanced diet and getting enough regular physical activity can help you maintain or achieve a
healthy weight.
- Choose whole, minimally processed foods from the 5 main food groups (fruit, vegetables, dairy, grains, and
lean meats).6
- Limit your intake of highly processed foods that are high in saturated fats, added sugars and salt (like
biscuits, burgers and soft drinks).7
- Swap out ingredients for healthier alternatives when you’re cooking (for example, try substituting
sour cream with reduced fat natural yogurt).8
1 in 2 men have a chronic condition
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on 10 common chronic condition groups. These include mental
health conditions, back pain, arthritis, asthma, heart disease, diabetes and others.8
As it turns out, about half of Australian men are affected by one of them.8
Age is a factor here – 76% of men aged 65 and over have a chronic condition. But you might be surprised to
hear that 38% of men aged 45 and under do as well.
What can you do?
- Regular exercise, eating closely to the national dietary guidelines, and maintaining a healthy weight can
all help reduce your risk of developing a chronic condition.11
- Take time to consider your mental health. 45% of Aussies are living with a mental health
condition.9 Here are five tips to help you look
after your mental health.
3 in 5 men rate their health as 'excellent' or 'very good'
You read that correctly.
Aussie men’s general view of their own health is quite positive, but the evidence suggests many of them
aren’t meeting the recommended guidelines for physical activity and healthy eating.10
On one level, you could admire the spectacular show of confidence.
But on another level, we could acknowledge there are areas in our overall health that could stand to be paid a
bit more attention.
Think of the future
Both men and women are much more likely to find themselves in hospital for one reason or another as they
age.12
Even if you’re healthy now, it’s worth thinking about what the future might hold for your health and
healthcare needs.
Think about health insurance
The good news is private health insurance can provide
cover to support you with a number of health conditions. Take
out cover now and you might just thank yourself later.
Only 47% of Australian men have both hospital and extras cover.13 If you don’t have it, ask
yourself if it’s worth considering.
Think about your health
Most of us would prefer to avoid the hospital in the first place if we can. There are several ways to do that.
Not running laps with Cathy Freeman is one way. Another way is to look after our health with regular physical
activity and good nutrition.1,2
Sources:
1The health of Australia’s males – Physical activity Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (2019)
2How to start exercising Health
Direct (2020)
3The health of Australia’s males – Diet Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (2019)
4Australian Dietary Guidelines Eat
For Health (2013)
5The health of Australia’s males – Overweight and obesity Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (2019)
6Weight loss – a healthy approach Better
Health Channel (2020)
7Australian Dietary Guidelines Eat
For Health (2013)
8The health of Australia’s males – Chronic conditions Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (2019)
9Mental health services in Australia Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (2021)
10The health of Australia’s males – Self-assessed health status Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (2019)
11Exercise and mental health Health
Direct (2019)
12The health of Australia’s males – Hospital care Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (2019)
13The health of Australia’s males – Private health insurance Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (2019)
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Disclaimer:
This article contains general information only and does not take into account the health, personal
situation or
needs of any person. In conjunction with your GP or treating health care professional, please consider
whether
the information is suitable for you and your personal circumstances.