Male obesity: a gender-specific approach to nurse management

Android or male obesity is increasing. With greater understanding of the causes, development and outcomes of being obese and overweight, the nurse can begin to help men by using a gender-specific approach towards challenging this increasing global epidemic. This article provides a definition of overweight and obesity using the World Health Organization classification. The prevalence of obesity among men in the UK is outlined, and inequalities are highlighted and discussed. Some men from certain social, economic and ethnic groups are predisposed to developing obesity or becoming overweight. The human and financial implications of obesity and overweight are described and the healthy outcomes associated with the disease are discussed. Methods used to prevent obesity and overweight, such as information giving, pharmacological intervention and bariatric surgery, are outlined. Finally, a call is made for nurses to address male obesity from a gender perspective taking into account the attitudes, hopes and aspirations of men from various social, ethnic and economic backgrounds. Long-term local and national strategic policy is needed if this upward trend in obesity and overweight is to be addressed effectively. Joined-up intergovernmental policy-making approaches are advocated.