Men's Health Report Men often depressed

German Men's Health Report: Men are more likely to suffer from depression and lead an unhealthy lifestyle.

(29.10.2010) Men are generally unhealthier than women: they drink more alcohol, smoke more and eat too one-sided and too fatty. This was the result of the "First German Men's Health Report", which was prepared by the Men's Health Foundation and the German Society for Men and Health and the German Health Insurance and presented to the public. Men's lifestyles, in addition to genetic components, have a lower life expectancy than women.

Unhealthy living habits are instilled
Men live unhealthily for generations. For the past life of the father is already internalized by the son. "Strong men" smoke a lot, eat hardly any vegetables - but more meat drink a lot of alcohol and hardly go to the doctor. However, as the "First German Men's Health Report" noted, this very non-healthy lifestyle is the reason men are sicker than they want to admit. The cliché of „strong sex“ Causes men to neglect their health extremely. However, statistical analyzes show that men are more likely to suffer a heart attack, commit suicide about three times as often (suicides in depressed people) and suffer from mental disorders such as depression more and more frequently. So you can see that men are in a vicious circle, from which it is difficult to find out again. Most unhealthy habits have been quasi socialized (educated).

Pschische disorders are often left untreated in men
Above all, mental disorders often remain untreated and the symptoms are increasingly aggravated by this. Many men are afraid to admit that they have a mental illness. Many think they are laughed at by male friends, or they are considered "unmarried" by women. In fact, then many have to listen „Now do not pretend“, or „That can not be so bad“. Untreated depression, however, can lead to alcohol dependence, crime, diseases such as diabetes, lower life expectancy and even suicide in the worst case.

Men must always be "strong" and show no "weakness"
Men are often required in everyday life to solve problems purposefully and to show no weakness. "Men are often geared to work," said Matthias Stiehler, co-author of the Men's Health Report. "Above all, they should be strong and cause little problems." Stiehler continues. Many men are of the opinion, which makes it much harder to acknowledge a health problem. They see a mental disorder as a sign of weakness. According to the men's health report, the social view of men must fundamentally change so that they can once again gain access to their own health. "Men, take your crises seriously, no matter if they are mental or physical." so the appeal of the Foundation Men's Health. Only those who live healthily can live longer.

Men have a much lower life expectancy
According to surveys of the Federal Statistical Office, boys between 2006 and 2008 have an average life expectancy of 77 years. A girl born in the same period has a life expectancy of 82.5 years on average. Just a year difference is genetically conditioned, the remaining years are caused by the unhealthy lifestyle and social and cultural factors. The Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Kristina Schröder (CDU), said at the presentation of the men's report that much had already been done for girls and women. Now, new framework conditions must be created so that men can live healthier lives. The first women's health report was published in 2001, the first men's health report only in 2010. Next summer 2011, the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs wants to undertake a state study to shed more light on the men's health problem. (Sb)

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