Father’s day checklist

Dads are notorious for neglecting their health. They dodge doctors just as much as they avoid taking out the garbage. They insist everything is fine as long as they’re able to lift the remote control. Every now and then they are struck down by ‘man flu’ or a splinter and the level of moaning is unbearable – but when it comes to their general health and bigger problems, they are usually woefully remiss.

Statistics reveal that a third of men in the UAE suffer from health problems, making male reluctance to go to the doctor more worrying. The latest statistics for life-expectancy in the UAE is 79 years for women, but just 74 for men. In a country with top medical care available, this is tragic, especially when simple life changes could make a huge difference.

It’s time dads woke up and realised we love them and want them to stick around for as long as possible.

Hair apparent

Baldness is a huge bugbear for the men in our lives. It might not be life threatening but it can lead to low self-esteem and, in extreme cases, depression. Amin Sheybani, CEO of Vivandi Hair Spa in Dubai (www.hairspa.ae) says hair loss affects an estimated 75 per cent of men. “And given the harsh desert environment and desalinated water in the UAE, these figures are likely to be much higher in Dubai,” Amin reveals.

Hair loss can be attributed to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes the hair to thin until the follicles become dysfunctional and the hair stops growing. Although hair loss can affect all ages, it’s more obvious as men get older.

Amin recommends using a special hair-care system, such as Revivogen, which is a clinically proven hair loss solution that combats the problem and stimulates regrowth. There are also shower filters you can buy to remove potentially harmful chlorine from the water. Or even the iGrow Hair Rejuvenation System – a helmet men can use at home to energise hair follicles with low-level laser technology. It’s very expensive but it has been clinically proven and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Attack heart problems

Cardiovascular disease is the world’s leading cause of death. In the UAE, it accounts for one in four deaths and worryingly the average age of a heart attack is 20 years earlier than the worldwide average. Family medicine specialist Dr Negin Afshar, from the Wellbeing Medical Centre in Dubai (www.wellbeingmedicalcentre.com) explains why it’s such a concern. “Cardiovascular disease is the basic term for furring up or hardening of the arteries and it happens over time,” she explains. “This can lead to angina and heart disease and, in the worse cases, heart attacks or strokes.”

It’s crucial to limit the risks as early as possible. “The important risk factors to monitor and keep under control are cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes,” Dr Afshar says. “You probably won’t actually feel any different if you have these three conditions as there can be no symptoms, so it is crucial to get checked regularly – especially over the age of 40. You might just have a silent problem you need to address.”

Just quit it

Get the low-down below

Colorectal cancer (also known as colon cancer, rectal cancer or bowel cancer) does have symptoms but men tend to ignore them. A recent survey revealed that one in four people in the UAE ignore digestive problems, such as bloating and diarrhoea – perhaps putting it down to IBS.

Big daddy

Dr Sally Norton was the first-ever female weight-loss surgeon in the UK, but she is determined to stop people resorting to going under the knife. “I hear repeatedly from overweight dads that they want to lose weight so they can stay healthy for their kids, or to be able to kick a ball with them,” Dr Norton reveals. “We’re in the midst of an obesity epidemic and being fat also has implications on [the rest of] the family thanks to health issues and draining effects on energy.’

When it comes to dad’s famous ‘belly paunch’, be warned – it could suggest that fat isn’t just beneath the skin, it could also be in and around his vital organs. Dr Norton, who created Vasita.com, a 12-week online weight loss programme, says the key is small, but sustainable changes, such as eating smaller portions, cutting out fizzy drinks, which contain on average 10 teaspoons of sugar, and avoiding processed food and takeaways wherever possible.

“Take the stairs instead of the lift, leave the car at home when it’s cool enough and get more sleep,” Dr Norton advises. “Science shows that a good night’s sleep improves your chance of making healthier choices.”

Super-dad

Dads are constantly flicking through fitness magazines on a quest for bulging biceps and a ripped six-pack, but Dubai’s top fitness expert points out working out in a gym isn’t about looking like you’re sculpted from marble, it’s about improving your lifestyle, mentally and physically.

Thomas Woolf, Nike head coach and founder of PTX Performance Training in Dubai (www.ptxdubai.com) says there are plenty of options for men if they want to improve their bodies. Tom says those living here are very fortunate as the options for fitness are as varied as the options for dining outlets. He adds, “From what I see, men are incredibly keen to work out with vanity as the driving force, but that’s starting to change as people recognise the positive impact working out can have.”

Tom says the benefits of being fit and healthy are obvious but dads tend to realise this only once they’re older and fatter. And he says men typically struggle to stick consistently to a training regime. Dads should go for achievable life changes. “Drink two litres of water every day – not including tea or coffee,” says Tom. “Sleep and rise at the same times every night and day, and try to do yoga or Pilates once a week. If you can’t pull, push, leap and bound your body round the park or at home, then you shouldn’t be worried about how much you can bicep curl!”

Tim says any one can learn a simple workout from YouTube to do in their living room. “Who can’t make room for 30 minutes three times a week if they really wanted to?” he insists. “Then eat clean. Base your food choices on the types of food that was here 10,000 years ago and you’ll be winning – vegetables and meat, yes, chocolate from a packet, no.”