There are many influences on our state of health. Many of them are inherited from our parents and part of our genetic makeup, thus leaving us little chance of doing much more than managing our conditions. One can only “play the cards that they are dealt”, so to speak. However, with education and action, most health situation can be improved.

The Influences of Gender on Health and Wellness   

By Professor Phil Ross, M.S. CPT

            There are many influences on our state of health. Many of them are inherited from our parents and part of our genetic makeup, thus leaving us little chance of doing much more than managing our conditions. One can only “play the cards that they are dealt”, so to speak. However, with education and action, most health situation can be improved.

            There is a certain noted difference between the sexes concerning health and wellness. Some of these elements may be considered contradictory to a degree when the social aspects are revealed in regard to how the genders both treat and are treated in the matter of support by family. Men seem to elicit a greater degree of empathy and concern from the family when an illness or condition arises and look to remedy the situation. Women appear to receive less family support and tend accept the condition as opposed to working to elicit change (Vlassoff, 2007). This would lead us to believe that men are healthier, but that is not the case. Men tend to engage in riskier behaviors, have higher rates of injury, have poorer diets and are less likely to visit the doctor. According to Dr. Pamela Strauss, many of her female patients complain that their husbands haven’t gone to the doctor in years (Rush). 

            Over 72 percent of the US population is considered to be overweight and 43 percent are deemed clinically obese. The anatomy of men and women differ in regard to how the adipose tissue is distributed, which is a disadvantage for men. Women tend to store their fat reserves in their hips, buttocks and thighs. This results in a “pear” shape or glenoid form. Men tend to store their fat around their waste and have an “apple” shape or android. The storage of fat in this area is more dangerous due to the visceral fat constricting the internal organs. This fat distribution leads to increased risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and many other ailments. However, men tend to lose weight faster and gain muscle mass easier than women do. 

            Education and income levels are very closely related especially in terms of health and wellness. Socio ecological conditions have a profound effect. The less educated populations tend to also have less available resources and those from disadvantaged communities also are subject to greater stress (Zimmerman, Woolf & Haley, 2015). Many people of lower levels of education are not privy to the correct choices for proper nutrition and wellness activities. They may not be aware of the choices and/or they may not know where to look or even have access. Hence, many simply choose from what is easily accessed. 

            Pointing out issues is wonderful, but providing solutions is effective. The remedies for the aforementioned health and wellness determining issues lie in education. People of all genders, education levels and socioeconomic status should have the benefit of being properly educated. This is where the expertise of the health and wellness professional comes in.

References:

Rush University Medical Center. How gender affects health. (Webpage) https://www.rush.edu/health-wellness/discover-health/how-gender-affects-health.

Vlassoff. C.(Mar. 2007) Gender Differences in Determinants and Consequences of Health and Illness. Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition.Volume 25, Issue 1. Pages 47–61.

Zimmerman, E. B, Woolf, S. H. &  Haley, A. (2015). Population health: Behavioral and social science insights: Understanding the relationship between education and health. https://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/education/curriculum-tools/population-health/zimmerman.html