Did you know?

• Only 30% of a man’s overall health is determined by genetics, leaving 70% as controllable through lifestyle.
• Men live four to six years less than women; living nine years in poor health, mostly preventable by making small lifestyle changes.
• The top three reasons for a shorter lifespan in men: cardiovascular disease, suicide and motor vehicle accidents.
• Men are also more likely to die from heart disease at earlier ages.
• In addition, men who sleep seven to eight hours a night have about 60% less risk of fatal heart attack than those who sleep five hours or less.
• Compared to women, men have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes at a lower weight. Yes, you read that right: weight can be a deceiving gauge for assessing risk and shouldn't be the only metric.
• Consuming more than 10 alcoholic drinks per week doubles a man’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Tips for staying healthy

• Get an annual physical to be proactive and know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and waist circumference.
• Know your family history to understand risks of chronic conditions as well as testicular, prostate and other cancers.
• Stay active by engaging in regular physical activity alone and in groups.
  • Men who climb 50 stairs or walk five city blocks a day may lower their risk of heart attack by 25%.
  • Men who are not active are 60% more likely to suffer from depression than those who are active.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet — focusing on whole food options
  • Getting five to seven servings of fruit and veggies is as simple as: one apple, half an avocado, one stalk of celery, half a grapefruit and five pieces of broccoli per day.
• Have open conversations with those you trust who can support healthy decision-making and stress management.