Despite significant advancements in global health, men have not seen the same improvements in life expectancy as women. According to 2021 data from the Human Mortality Database and the United Nations’ World Population Prospects, men are expected to live around five years less than women, and in some regions, the gap is even widening. This health disparity is a worldwide issue, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to men’s health.
At a time when health resources must be used efficiently, it is crucial to identify key moments in men’s lives to encourage preventive care and better health outcomes. Life transitions, such as marriage and fatherhood, have been shown to be pivotal, often contributing to long-term health benefits. Men in these family roles tend to have lower mortality risks compared to single men without children. However, just as every man is different, so too are the health challenges that men face across different global communities.
Research conducted by the University of Notre Dame highlights that not all life transitions yield the same health outcomes, and men’s health policies must be adapted to the specific needs of each country and community.
Cultural Variations in Men’s Health Outcomes
In many Western contexts, men often experience noticeable physical changes after marriage or fatherhood, including an increase in waist circumference and body mass index—a phenomenon commonly referred to as the “dad bod.” However, as Lee Gettler, associate professor of anthropology and chair of Notre Dame’s Department of Anthropology, explains, these physical health changes do not occur universally.
In a study published in Social Science and Medicine, Gettler and his co-authors examined data from the Philippines to explore how men’s health changed across life transitions. The findings paint a different picture of Filipino men’s health in contrast to men from the U.S. and Europe. Working alongside researchers from the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, and the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philippines, Gettler found that Filipino men did not experience the same negative health trajectories as their Western counterparts.
“Our research shows that the links between physical health, marriage, and fatherhood are different for Filipino men compared to men in places like the United States or Europe,” said Gettler, who also directs Notre Dame’s Hormones, Health, and Human Behavior Lab.
The team collected data from 607 men in the Philippines between 2005 and 2014, examining their socio-demographic information, health status, behavior, and testosterone levels at ages 21, 26, and 31. The results indicated that Filipino men who married or cohabitated did not exhibit the same patterns of weight gain or deteriorating health as married men in other parts of the world.
Factors Influencing Health Differences
The study attributes these differing outcomes to factors such as diet, physical activity, and social dynamics. In addition, the research suggested that men who were physically stronger and more muscular in their early 20s were more likely to become partners later in life—a phenomenon described as the “marital selection” model.
While body composition changes during fatherhood might be less of a concern in Filipino men, the researchers highlighted other health priorities. Mental health, for instance, should be a critical focus during the transition to fatherhood, which offers a valuable opportunity for men to take care of their well-being.
“The transition to fatherhood represents a promising developmental period to encourage men to attend to their own health,” the researchers noted, adding that supporting men’s health also contributes to the overall well-being of families. However, they emphasized the need to allocate resources to the most pressing health issues specific to each cultural and social context.
A Call for Context-Specific Health Strategies
“Men’s well-being is often overlooked in global public health, even though they tend to fare worse than women on various health measures throughout life,” Gettler said. To close this gap, better health strategies and policies are needed—along with a deeper understanding of the diverse factors influencing men’s health in different parts of the world.
Gettler’s research underscores a vital lesson: global men’s health initiatives must be flexible, adapting to the unique circumstances of each community. A one-size-fits-all approach will not effectively address the diverse challenges faced by men across the globe. Instead, health professionals must recognize cultural and societal nuances to craft interventions that will make the most meaningful impact.
Source: News.nd.edu