Men’s Health, Screenings, and Obesity

Health

Did you know that women visit the doctor 150% more often than men?1 June is men’s health month and a time to get proactive with routine screenings and well checks.

Updated for 2026

June is National Men’s Health Month! If you weren’t already aware, this month brings awareness to the health issues that all men face.

Men traditionally lag behind women in preventive healthcare, often avoiding doctor visits and delaying routine screenings, leading to higher rates of premature death, heart disease, and mental health crises.¹ For men dealing with obesity, it’s even more imperative to normalize treatment options and routine care.

The Goal

Hosted by Men’s Health Network since 1992, and officially recognized by Congress in 19941, the month of June is purposely dedicated to enriching men’s health and wellness through a broad spectrum of national screening and educational campaigns. It is essential and extremely important that there are outlets for men to learn about their well-being and how to protect it at all costs. The goal here is to raise awareness among those who may not know or pay much attention to the potential damage that ignoring health concerns can cause.

This month gives healthcare providers as well as individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.

Screenings Start Early

One of the most effective ways to protect your health is to take advantage of the health screenings available. For those who are insured, these typically come at little to no out-of-pocket cost.

The guidelines for most health screenings apply to otherwise healthy individuals with no prior history or family history of the illness. For those with close relatives, such as brothers, fathers, or uncles, who have a history of specific diseases, screening timelines may be sooner than those recommended. Also, some ethnicities have a greater genetic incidence of some diseases, like prostate cancer in men of African American descent. Talk to your healthcare provider about your medical history, family incidence, and the best timetable based on your unique medical make-up.

Here is a list of general ages to start common screenings²:

Age 18: infectious disease and sexually transmitted infections screenings based on risk and dr recommendation
Age 35: prediabetes and diabetes screening if you are overweight or obese
By age 40: blood pressure screening once per year*
Age 45: colorectal cancer screening
Age 50: lung cancer screening
Age 55: prostate cancer screening (possibly sooner based on family history)
Age 50+: Ask your provider whether risk-based osteoporosis screening is appropriate (with risk factors, this can begin as early as 50).

*Blood pressure baseline screening is best at age 18, and with no risk factors, done every 3 to 5 years. For men 40 and older, screenings are suggested annually. If over 40 and blood pressure is borderline, or there is a family history of hypertension, screenings may be recommended more frequently.

Senior Men 65+

You’ve made it this far, don’t stop maintaining good health! For senior men, age itself is a risk factor, and not receiving regular check-ups at the doctor can expedite the aging process. Additional topics to bring up with your doctor include:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (this may be sooner for smokers)
Hypertension
Depression and cognitive issues
Lipid disorders
STD (yes, even STIs/STDs if you’re still sexually active!)
Testosterone

Sure, we start “wearing out” as we get older, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done gracefully. Get screened, eat healthy, stay active, and maintain your stamina. If all it takes is routine check-ups and opening up the conversation with your doctor, why wouldn’t you?

Weight-Related Risk Factors

Weight gain puts additional stress on the body’s functions, everything from hormone regulation and cardiovascular performance to sexual prowess and lean muscle mass.

Diet and exercise have a lot to do with maintaining a healthy body. When we ignore that fact, decline in health happens quicker. And as we get older, our dietary needs also change. Older men need more calcium, vitamin D, fiber, and potassium. Experts recommend limiting fat calories to 20 to 35 percent of the diet and suggest the following guidelines for daily calorie needs for men 50 and over:

Not active: 2,000
Moderately active: 2,200 to 2,400
Active: 2,400 to 2,800.

Additionally, it is recommended that all men incorporate 30 minutes of physical activity into their daily schedule up to 5 times a week (physical limitations permitting).

There’s no time like the present to get more involved in your health. And if you’ve struggled with obesity, there are solutions for any age. Come talk to the team at MIIS Weight Loss Institute, and we’ll help you get back on track, even in your “golden years.”

Men’s Health Network. (n.d.). Men’s Health Week History. Men’s Health Month. https://menshealthmonth.org/week/history.
National Library of Medicine. (2025, June 24). Health screenings for men ages 40 to 64. Medlineplus.gov. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007465.htm.