Male weight problems are a serious public health issue and can lead to hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes and cancer. If current trends continue, the prospect of the majority of men becoming overweight is a very real one, and urgent action is imperative. The middle-aged spread that most men ‘expect’ to develop as they enter into their thirties and forties is now occurring much earlier with boys and young men developing life limiting weight problems.
This multidisciplinary guide provides a gender sensitive approach to weight issues. Men need to be targeted specifically and in a male-focused manner, in order to overcome the multitude of contributing factors in their weight gain; social influences, dietary restrictions, education, cultural expectations, psychological considerations and exercise regime.

This book takes a balanced approach, offering practical guidance as well as evidence-based research, academic perspectives and personal experiences. The advice is easy to implement and has been proven in real-life settings.

All healthcare professionals, nutritionists and dieticians will find the assistance invaluable. It is also highly recommended for psychologists, counsellors and therapists, particularly those working with men. Healthcare policy makers and shapers too, will find much of interest.


‘A definitive and seminal book that will change the way male weight problems are tackled in the UK and beyond.’
Peter Baker, in the Foreword

* The challenge of male weight problems
* The research base for male obesity: what do we know?
* The causes of male obesity and associated health problems
* Male obesity: policy and context
* Using body image to help men manage weight problems
* Men, obesity and the media
* Men, masculinities and health
* Tackling male weight problems
* Managing male obesity in primary care
* Working with men in groups - experience from a weight management programme in Scotland
* Weight management in men - community pharmacy approaches
* Commercial slimming groups in the management of weight problems in men
* Tackling weight problems in men in the workplace * Weight problems in boys and young men
* Fit for inclusion
* Working with overweight and obese men with a disability
* Promoting exercise to men
* Counselling the man beyond the weight problem
* Communicating the risks of obesity to South Asian men
* Weight management in men with mental health problems
* Working with men via the internet
* Innovation in obesity services for men
* The Australian experience

A well written and documented resource for health practitioners who wish to look beyond the typical weight loss programs for men. This book makes a valuable contribution to our knowledge on male weight problems and provides sound guidelines for practice.’ DOODY ENTERPRISES

'A timely and groundbreaking document that bridges the gap between public health and medical approaches. Excellent Web site references and step-by-step guidelines. An extremely well-conceived and well-referenced text with universal application for medical students, health care practitioners, nutritionists, and patients alike. A vivid, eye-opening look into a public health problem that will continue to grow at an alarming rate unless we use the insight and tools this book provides.' Joel J. Heidelbaugh, MD Department of Family Medicine University of Michigan

'Invaluable to any professional working with men in the primary care setting.' UNIVADIS

'Well-written, backed up with citations and fully indexed. The approach of this volume is to give balanced practical guidance to individuals, institutions and all the stake-holders, derived from empirical and evidence-based research as well as personal experience. The book is technical and yet any avid reader could grasp its content. This is indeed a multidisciplinary endeavour. Should be on the reading list for all health care practitioners, nutritionists and other professionals who are advancing the cause of health education.' SULTAN QABOOS MEDICAL JOURNAL