Healthiest countries for men at He's Fit

Click here for the Lead Stories

Healthiest countries for men

Posted September 5, 2007 at 02:00 PM by Lisa Cieplechowicz

Section: In The News, His Health, Physical Health, Lifestyle Health

world Ever wonder why the health of men across the world seems to vary so greatly? Turns out geography has more of an impact on men’s health than most people would realize. The results are in. Men’s Health magazine recently published the first ever international health survey encompassing such categories as physical fitness, nutrition, and overall health. Here’s a highlight of some of the best and worst.

Healthiest
Most- Australia. The Land Down Under has got more than killer waves and cuddly kangaroos to offer. It is also home to some of the lowest rates of heart disease, cancer, and stroke in the world. Just look at the statistics. According to the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare, heart disease is Australia’s number one health problem, afflicting approximately 3.5 million people each year. However, when compared to the 26 million people in the United States affected by heart disease every year, suddenly Australia’s rates don’t seem so intimidating. The statistics for cancer and stroke occurrence follow the same pattern- Australia simply leads the pack when it comes to men’s health.

Least- Ukraine. On the other end of the spectrum is the Ukraine, a country currently ranked as the unhealthiest in the world. With a rapidly dropping life expectancy rate, increasing occurrences of obesity, and deaths from heart disease rising by 40% over the past five years alone, it’s not hard to see why the Ukraine fell so low on the ranking system. Unfortunately, as the World Health Organization reports, due to its health care crisis, public health reforms don’t stand a good chance of being passed any time soon.

man running

Physically Fit
Most- Netherlands. Surprisingly, healthiest and most fit did not have a strong correlation on the survey. Instead of Australians walking away with more bragging rights, the Dutch took top honors in the physically fit category. Tips to take away from our European friends? Try cycling, for starters. As reported by Men’s Health, nearly one in five Dutch men ride their bikes to work- and they have the toned bodies to prove the benefits of such a workout. From shedding those extra calories to keeping your blood pressure in check, opting for a bike over a car can help give your health an extra boost.

Least- Romania. If working out isn’t your thing, then you’d probably feel right home in Romania, whose men ranked the lowest in strength and physical activity.

Relaxation
Most relaxed- Spain. Need a break from all that hard work? Pack your bags and head for Spain, where afternoon siestas and extended vacations are more than encouraged, they’re the norm. Even job aren’t viewed as stress inducers. Rather than the typical American work day filled with endless hours spent in cubicles and board rooms, the normal Spanish work day consists of frequent breaks, meetings over coffee, and socialization as the key to success.

Least relaxed- India. If you think an American work week is bad, then steer clear of India. Indian men placed dead last in terms of vacation and leisure time and were the least satisfied with their work experience. As The Times of India reported, high levels of stress can have an adverse effect on your physical health as well as your mental well-being.

Nutrition
Best- Portugal. Seafood reigns supreme in Portugal, where a serving of fish a day helps keep the doctor away. It’s true- the Omega-3 fatty acid found in fish is connected to the reduction of such serious conditions as heart disease and cancer. In addition, as The Better Health Channel, an online guide to health living, points out, by increasing the amount of fish in your diet, you can also improve your mental health. Eating fish has been linked to lower instances of such mental disorders as depression and dementia. So follow the lead of the Portuguese and start stocking up on those cans of tuna.

Worst- Ukraine. The Ukraine just can’t catch a break. As Men’s Health reported, not only is the Ukraine the least healthy, its food also has the worst nutritional value.

To get the complete results from the survey, follow this link: Men’s Health: The World’s Best Countries For Men

Research sources and for more information: [Australian Institute for Health and Welfare]; [Unicef.org]; [World Health Organization]; [The Better Health Channel]