Men’s Health – Create a healthy lifestyle!
By: Paul Dillaway, DO – Family Medicine
June is Men’s Health Month. I’m pretty sure everyone wants to look and feel healthy, but how many of us can truly say we’re happy with our bodies? Unfortunately, obesity trends are on the rise due to inactivity at home and in the work place, poor diet and exercise habits and complacency. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 41.1% of women and 37.9% of men in America are now obese. Even more shocking, for children age 6 to 11, the prevalence of obesity increased from 4% in 1971 to 1974 to 18% in 2009 to 2010, while the prevalence of obesity in adolescents ages 12 to 19 increased from 6.1% to 18.4%.
As a Family Medicine Physician I deal with this issue every day. It’s never an easy conversation to have with my patients, but it’s imperative to discuss not only weight issues, but potential complications such as:
• Diabetes.
• High cholesterol.
• High blood pressure.
• Heart attack.
• Stroke.
While having a conversation is a good first step, being a role model for healthy living also makes a difference. I have always been a proponent of regular physical activity. Such exercises may include:
• Walking.
• Weight lifting.
• Stretching.
• Yoga.
These exercises, along with a healthy lifestyle can help you reach your personal goals. Notice I didn’t use the word diet. I try to eat right all day every day. That includes:
• Fruits.
• Vegetables.
• Whole grains.
• Lean meats.
Fueling my body with healthy fats, carbs and proteins helps me maintain the level of excellence I demand from my body on a daily basis. I can assure you that the journey to healthy living can difficult at times, but so can painful arthritis, diabetic neuropathy and coronary artery disease. You know what they say, difficult things aren’t easy, but they’re worth it. If there is ever a concern about how to start a diet and weight loss plan, remember your family physician can always be a good first stepping stone.
Have you scheduled your annual well visit yet? We can help you create and manage your health lifestyle habits. Call 480-882-4545 or request an appointment below.
