“Three years on from first meeting Lea at LeRace and my weight has remained stable at the goals that we set. A healthy diet is a very easy lifestyle choice and food intake to maintain energy levels for my sport and lifestyle is an easy habit. Thank you for the time taken to give me this understanding that has achieved this”
–Peter Maich, Christchurch
There are a number of health issues that can affect New Zealand men. These issues can be dealt with through various lifestyle changes. This clinic focuses on targeting lifestyle aspects such as diet and physical activity, and incorporates these into improving the health outcomes of its male clients.
Health issues relevant to New Zealand men include:
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
One in five adult New Zealanders is estimated to have high blood pressure. However, it can be controlled through various lifestyle changes such as following improved diet, decreased salt intake, weight-loss, physical activity and decreased alcohol intake.
Hyperlipidemia (High Blood Cholesterol)
High blood cholesterol is an important risk factor for CVD. Modifiable determinants of blood cholesterol include diet, body weight and physical activity.
Obesity
Recently, it was estimated that 42.1% and 19.9% of the New Zealand male population were either overweight or obese respectively. Even small amounts of weight loss can have significant health benefits. This includes improving blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose (sugar) control, as well as lowering the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a major and increasing health problem in New Zealand and is characterised by raised blood glucose. There are two main types of diabetes that affect males, Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.
Cancer
Male-specific cancers, such as those found in the prostate and testes, total 1,226 per 100,000 New Zealand men. Prostate cancer accounts for 3.8% of all male deaths in New Zealand.
Hazardous Alcohol Use
27% of male drinkers are estimated to show hazardous drinking patterns. Excessive intake is known to increase the risk of the development of a number of other diseases.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become excessively thin and weak, such that there is a greater risk of fractures. The lifetime risk of fracture due to osteoporosis for males is as high as 1 in 4.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction means a man is unable to maintain an erect penis sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Factors that can reduce blood flow to the penis include: excess alcohol, smoking and the narrowing of blood vessels caused by a high blood cholesterol levels.
Arthritis (Gout)
Gout is associated with the body’s level of uric acid, which is a normal by-product of digesting certain foods. Normally, excess uric acid in the blood is transferred by the kidneys into the urine, and removed from the body. When uric acid accumulates it can form tiny needle-shaped crystals in the joints which may cause inflammation and pain.
Nutritional and lifestyle factors can influence these disease outcomes and thus can be addressed in our Men’s Health clinic so give us a call today.