Every June, we show dads how much we appreciate them. On Father’s Day, we bestow gifts like a new tie, a customized T-shirt or even season tickets to his favorite team’s home games. But how about the gift of a long life? This year, let’s shift our attention to new traditions that can benefit dads health and well-being.
Dads and Health—Why It’s Good to Talk About It
Did you know that men are more inclined to put off visits to the doctor? Studies show that nearly two-thirds of men avoid doctors.* And 55%** of men don’t see their doctor for regular health screenings. There are many factors that can play into these statistics, but regardless of the reason, it’s critical that fathers take good care of themselves—especially when you consider this:
- The leading cause of death among men in the U.S. is heart disease.****
- Prostate cancer affects one in eight men.****
- Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in men.†
- More men than women have been diagnosed with diabetes.†
Give Dad the Gift of a Healthy Lifestyle
There’s so much Dad—and you—can do to help put the statistics in his favor. Here are some smart wellness ideas focused on diet and exercise:
- On Father’s Day, take Dad out for a healthy brunch. Better yet, take him to the local farmers market for fresh ingredients so you can cook up a delicious, healthy meal together.
- After your meal, go for a walk together. Whether it’s around the park or even around the block, a walk will get his heart pumping and blood flowing. There’s a reason the phrase “movement is medicine” is used so often. Even mild, consistent exercise can help prevent disease and improve chronic conditions like arthritis. ††
- Buy Dad a fitness tracker to help motivate him to stay mobile. Put the “health” in “healthy competition” by challenging him to get to 10,000 steps every day—or close to it.
- Get Dad a gym membership. Not only do gyms often have many exercise choices—from group classes to the weight room—but they can also be great places to make new friends and socialize.
- Gift Dad with a healthy meal subscription. Taking the hassle out of cooking can go a long way toward promoting healthy eating habits. Research some options and find one that offers meals that are healthy, delicious and easy to make.
- Encourage Dad to get his yearly check-ups. If he’s hesitant or keeps canceling his appointments, offer to go with him. If time and circumstances prevent you from being close by, offer to help make his appointments and follow up about them when he’s done. Having a loved one by his side, whether literally or metaphorically, can go a long way in achieving and maintaining his wellness.
What Dad Can Do to Take Good Care of Himself
Routine check-ups are key to Dad’s well-being. That’s because the old adage, “prevention is the best medicine,” is the best advice. Here’s what Dad should be scheduling yearly:
- Annual physical: This routine screening checks vitals and other health metrics, such as weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. Being proactive allows for any concerns to be addressed and helps lower the risk for health complications down the road.
- Cholesterol testing: High cholesterol can lead to blocked blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. Men aged 35 and older should get a blood test for cholesterol levels.
- Colon cancer screening: Colorectal cancer is now the primary cause of cancer-related deaths among young men under 50. †††† A screening is recommended for individuals 45 years of age and older.
- Prostate cancer screening: About 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer‡ in their lifetime. It can happen at any age, but the chances increase as a man gets older.
- Skin cancer screening: From ages 15 to 39, men are 55% more likely to die‡‡ of melanoma than women in the same age group; from age 50 on, significantly more men develop melanoma than women. A simple skin cancer screening can allow for early detection of new or changing spots and moles.
Whether on Father’s Day or any day, you can help Dads improve their well-being by encouraging them to be proactive in caring for their medical needs. After all, the gift of good health is one that will keep on giving.
Schedule a checkup today and take charge of your health!
Call Premier Medical Group to schedule a checkup at one of our eight convenient locations in Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Hopewell, Newburgh & New Windsor.
*https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-so-many-men-avoid-doctors
†https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/cardio/assets/stroke_men.pdf
††††https://news.uthscsa.edu/colorectal-cancer-leading-cause-of-cancer-death-among-young-men/
‡‡https://news.uthscsa.edu/colorectal-cancer-leading-cause-of-cancer-death-among-young-men/