Soccer is proving to be an effective and popular way for men to lose weight and have fun in the process

Aussie blokes are putting on weight at a greater rate than Aussie women, with the average male gaining 8kg from 1985 to 2017, while the average female gained 6kg.

Responding to the findings, from an international study published in the journal Nature, Bill Stavreski, General Manager of the Heart Foundation told SBS:

Men of all ages and social backgrounds are more likely than women to be overweight and obese, but nearly four times less likely to have weight-loss surgery, according to new research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

The Australian Institute Of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has published its latest reports on the health of Australian males and females. The reports confirm that men die younger than women, experience a greater burden of disease and are more likely to die from potentially avoidable causes. 

Here we present 10 surprising facts about men's health drawn from the AIHW's research. Copies to the full reports are provided at the bottom of the page.

Childhood obesity is a major health issue in modern economies around the world, but many parents are resistant to receiving health warnings about their children’s weight. 

New research from New Zealand has found that while nearly two-thirds of parents would like to be made aware if their children’s weight was putting their health at risk, they would find the news upsetting and worrying.