‘Are you worried about man boobs?’ (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

‘Are you worried about man boobs?’

1:20pm Sunday 14th June 2009 in

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Men in Yorkshire are worried that drinking too much alcohol will give them a beer belly or ‘man boobs’, according to a new survey.

The statistics, unveiled during Men’s Health Week, which starts today, show that watching the waistline is no longer the preserve of women.

The research for the Department of Health’s Know Your Limits campaign shows more than one in three men (35 per cent) in Yorkshire and the Humber claim they would reduce their drinking to cut down on the number of calories they consume.

Only money-saving (47 per cent) is a bigger incentive. The YouGov survey of male drinkers over 18 in the Yorkshire and the Humber region revealed: l one in five men (20 per cent) are worried their drinking will lead to ‘man boobs’ l a quarter (26 per cent) are worried about getting a beer belly l one in five men (21 per cent) think their boozing is affecting their appearance l around one in ten (12 per cent) worry that drinking is affecting their sexual performance The NHS recommends men should not regularly drink more than four units a day – equivalent to less than two pints of beer.

According to the Office of National Statistics, 6.3 million men in England regularly drink above these limits.

Health chiefs in the Bradford district are using Men’s Health Week to increase the awareness of preventable health problems.

Activities are taking place during the week, including a walk from Bradford City Hall to Baildon Barracks on Wednesday, led by members of Baildon Men’s Weight Loss Group, which is supported by Bradford and Airedale Community Health Services.

The group meets regularly, all its activities are free and all new members receive a health check.

Michael Breen, a volunteer with the health of men team for Bradford and Airedale Commun-ity Health Services, runs the group with support of Jonathan Chapman, a Healthwise tutor.

Mr Breen said: “Baildon Men’s Weight Loss Group helps men to tackle their weight, and to generally become healthier. It provides a supportive and sociable setting for its members, and has achieved great success.

“We are delighted to see the membership of the group still growing.”

Andrew Harrison, men’s health nurse for Bradford and Airedale Community Health Services, said: “Groups like this are a great way for local men to get involved and become healthier..”

To join the walk on Wednesday, meet at City Hall in Centenary Square, Bradford, between 11am and noon. Anyone who cannot attend but would like to know more about men’s health and other activities can contact Mr Breen on (01274) 632878, or e-mail andrew.harrison2@bradford.nhs.uk.

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