Human bodies and vehicles have one important thing in common: Both need to be maintained.

As with vehicles, preventive maintenance may help human bodies avoid major issues.

Heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity are among the major issues that often come to mind when people think about their health.

The North Dakota State University Extension Service has launched a program called “Healthwise for Guys” with information specifically for men on these and other health topics.

However, the information isn’t just for men.

“As a leading source of health information, spouses or significant others also need to arm themselves with accurate content for these important face-to-face conversations with all the men in their lives,” says NDSU Extension food and nutrition specialist Julie Garden-Robinson, who spearheaded the program’s development.

“Healthwise for Guys” includes a website (https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/healthwiseforguys) with fact sheets covering several key health topics, as well as a card and a bingo game, easy-to-make recipes and links to a wide range of research-based information on health, nutrition and physical activity. Extension agents in many counties throughout the state will be offering classes and providing interactive displays, too.

Cancer, including colon, prostate and skin, is the program’s initial focus as the result of a grant from the North Dakota Department of Health’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.

Before creating “Healthwise for Guys,” Garden-Robinson and her collaborators, Extension family and community wellness agents Cindy Klapperich in Sargent County and Kristi Berdal in Nelson and Steele counties, developed a survey to find out what men want to know about health.

Nearly 560 people, including 519 who indicated they were males, completed the survey. Although most of the respondents were from North Dakota and Minnesota, the survey drew responses from men throughout the U.S. The respondents ranged from 18 to more than 76 years old, and they live on farms, and in small towns and large cities.

They said their top issues of concern are cancer (especially colon), high blood pressure, heart disease, being overweight, stress and prostate health. They also said they want to know about nutritional needs, fitness, and quick, healthful snacks and recipes, among many other things.

Garden-Robinson says the program gradually will expand to other health topics of concern to men.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - Feb. 13, 2018