Male vs Female

Research undertaken by the Apollo Hospitals ,Wellness Dept during the period 2005 to 2009,covering 31,979 males and 15,776 females indicate that the Indian Female  is healthier than the Indian male-but only just so

1) Overweight :The average height of the Indian male was 5’6” in this study as compared to the average height of the Indian female of ‘5 1”.The male averaged 73 kgs and 58.61% males were found to be overweight .The females average weight was  64 kgs and 65.95% females  were overweight .As regards body fat(abdominal) ,40% Males had excess body fat as compared to 46% females.

2) Food Habits: The Indian female certainly has better food habits than her male countrpart.31% females were vegetarian as opposed to 24% male .69% ate fruits and salads daily as opposed to 65% male. The Indian females was also less guilty of bad food habits.28% males are guilty of a high fat diet; whereas only  23% females are 24% males over indulge in sweets and puddings as opposed to 20% females.20% males snack frequently as opposed to 16% females ,and 20% males eat out at restaurants frequently as opposed to only 8% females .

3) Physical fitness: In order to evaluate Physical fitness, we measured resting heart rate, lung capacity, muscular strength and joint mobility .As regards Cardiovascular endurance,46% females passed the test as opposed to 40% males. Males fared better in strength tests with 32% passing as opposed to, 28% female. In flexibility both genders were equal at 30% pass. Taking all tests together, 31% males were found to have passed all the test and were declared physically fit, as opposed to 28% females.

4) Stress: The Stress levels are almost evenly matched with 12.26% males having high levels of Stress as opposed to 12% females being highly stressed. The cause and effects of Stress are similarly equal 77% males and an equal percentage of females are generally happy with their work and home life.78% males take refuge and support from the extended family of relatives and friends and so do 80% females .37% of

Males are over worked, and 36% females feel similarly pressurized. As a consequence 12% men feel guilty about neglecting their family and friends ,and 8% females feel that they similarly neglect significant family responsibilities .Similarly  -16% men neglect themselves as opposed to 14% women.

5) Smoking and Alcohol: It is in this one area that men have the dubious distinction clearly  of surpassing women .While less than 1% of Indian Urban women smoke,2% (both women and men)have paan frequently and 3% women enjoy a frequent more than once or twice a week) drink. Compare this with the 10% Men who smoke and 17% who drink frequently .What it finally boils down to is that more than 25% of the Male population are frequent associates  of Alcohol ,Smoking or paan ,as opposed to less than 3% of the Urban female population.

6) Chronic Ailments :When it comes to the Major ailments of Diabetes,HBP and Hyperlipidemia ,the male of the species has a higher affliction of 16% HBP,11% Diabetes and 7%High Blood lipids .However when one comes to the minor Ailments ,it is the females who fares worse with 23% frequent headaches ,7% Asthma ,31% digestive problems ,39%  joint ailments ,11% skin ailments  and 11% Allergies . Compared this with 12% headaches,5 % Asthma,28% digestive problems ,26% joint problems ,10% skin ailments and 8% Allergies for men .

7) Heart Attack and Cancer : No health topic is complete these days without reference to these major killers .Both these ailments are Multifactoral and caused by inappropriate Lifestyle including Obesity, a high fat diet, lack of exercise ,Stress, Smoking etc.In both Ailments the Males is   more at risk at 56% for Hearty attack and compared too 50% for the female and 9% for Cancer as compared to 3% for females.

8) Overall Health Status: So amidst this maze of percentage  and tests  what is the overall picture that emerges

- The Female is marginally fatter and does less exercise than the Male.

- The Male, even while being marginally less overweight and perhaps fitter than the     female, unfortunately smokes and drinks more.

- As a consequence, or so it would seem, the male is more susceptible to the two major killers, heart attack and Cancer.

Written by:

 Prof. Adrian Kennedy