Online Reporter
Disability Issues
Dr Christine Peta
A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats can strengthen the immune system, support brain health and promote muscle and bone strength.
Nonetheless, research has indicated that women have better knowledge of nutrition than men; women eat more fruits, vegetables, cereals, dairy and whole grain products, whereas the consumption of red meat, particularly pork, sausages, eggs, alcohol and high-sucrose foods is higher in men, to the detriment of their health and wellbeing.
Specific nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins (especially A, C, D and B vitamins) are essential in reducing inflammation and improving cognitive and physical functions.
Maintaining a healthy diet throughout life is critical for both the prevention and management of conditions that could lead to disabilities.
Yet, there is a paucity of research that focuses on the meanings that men attach to food and the relationship between diet and health, alongside a fallacious belief that “Real men do not diet”.
A “crisis” regarding the general health and wellbeing of men and the role that lifestyle factors, including diet, play in the prevention of illnesses and disabilities has been noted.
Traditionally, women are often associated with food-related activities, including purchasing, cooking and serving food.
As such, men may generally know less about the health benefits of particular foodstuffs that enhance health and prevent illnesses and disabilities.
Research has indicated that men generally have a very simple approach towards nutrition and their eating is generally pleasure-oriented.
Women are generally less satisfied with their weight and obesity and often make an effort to reduce weight, thus reducing vulnerability to diseases and disabilities.
The phrase “Real men do not diet” often reflects a stereotype that suggests that compared to dieting and managing weight, men should focus on strength and manliness and not on adopting healthy eating habits, resulting in health-defeating nutritional practices and perpetuating harmful eating norms that result in diseases and disabilities.
In some contexts, the belief is that men should be served large portions of food, regardless of the nutritional content of such food.
Men are believed to have greater appetites by virtue of being men. Moreover, for men who engage in manual labour or sports, the male body is generally viewed as a machine that is designed to perform and is therefore in need of appropriate fuel in the form of large quantities of food.
While women are also entering the male-dominated fields of competitive sport, the gendered beliefs around diet continue to police women’s appetites in ways that indicate that only minimal intake of food is allowed to enable women to sustain the ideals of being slim.
For men, meat-based diets and huge sizes of meals are preferred, in contexts where issues of health for men are generally disregarded.
However, diets are important for health and fitness and the prevention of illness and disabilities for anyone, regardless of gender.
The focus should therefore be on balanced nutrition and healthy eating habits rather than strict dieting alone, which may cause eating disorders for women or lead to the provision of huge quantities of meals for men.
Because food and dieting have generally been associated with women, men tend to rely on women for support when it comes to food and nutrition.
However, it is important for both men and women to pay attention to issues of diet and health in order to prevent illnesses and disabilities.
By supporting overall health and maintaining optimal body function, the risk of chronic diseases that can lead to disabilities among both men and women can be reduced.
The phrase “Real men do not diet” is, therefore, fallacious.
Dr Christine Peta is a disability, public health, policy, international development and research expert — she can be contacted on: developafrica2020@gmail. com
