We need to shift the conversation about Men’s Health to something much bigger and more inclusive.
The focus has often been on achieving a certain body mass or a super-low body fat percentage as the ultimate sign of health. But that’s not the full picture.
Health is More Than Just Visible Abs
Pursuing extreme physical goals, like achieving a very low body fat percentage, often comes at a cost to overall health. Many men turn to Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) to reach a body composition that isn’t sustainable long-term. This pursuit can lead to food obsession, mood swings, irritability, and a diminished sex drive. Restrictive diets also strain relationships and make social occasions stressful.
Now consider these alarming facts:
- Only 3% of men eat enough fruits and veggies.
- Three out of four suicides are men.
- Half of all men will face a cancer diagnosis by age 85.
- Four out of five don’t meet minimum movement goals.
These statistics highlight that health is much more than a number on the scale or a six-pack. It’s about feeling strong, energetic, and mentally well.
We need a cultural shift that moves away from scare tactics and guilt messaging. Men’s health should be represented in diverse ways—showing all body types, ages, and ethnicities. We need to give people a version of health that they can relate to and aspire to.
True health isn’t about extreme sacrifices, expensive supplements, or sticking to bland diets. It’s about becoming your highest-performing self. And that often doesn’t happen at 4–5% body fat. Performance is personal, and your best self evolves as you move through different stages of life.
Health looks like having enough energy to take on your day, consistently building strength, excelling in your career, and being present with your loved ones.
Before you chase a specific body composition goal, ask yourself: Why do I want to make this change? Body changes aren’t inherently bad, but it’s important to make sure your goals align with building and sustaining your best self—not just in appearance, but in every area of your life.
Check out Part 1 of our Men’s Health Chat here!
…And part 2 after we had some minor technical difficulties
Want more support?
If this blog has resonated with you, we’re here to help and can support you in both your physical and mental health. You can complete a FREE Performance Profile below, to gain insights into what areas could be holding you back from your goals.
Stats are from The Australian Institute of Health & Welfare.
