UK Men Face a Disproportionate Health Threat

While the UK faces a national challenge with 64.5% of adults classified as overweight or obese [1], the problem is most pervasive among men.

The Numbers: A Male Health Emergency

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The life expectancy gap is stark, and obesity is a major contributing factor. Moderate obesity (BMI 30-35) can reduce a person's life expectancy by approximately 3 years, while severe obesity (BMI 40-50) can shorten life by up to 10 years, an effect comparable to lifelong smoking [1].

The Danger of Visceral Fat

The physiological reality for men further increases their risk.

• Sex-Specific Fat Storage: Women typically accumulate subcutaneous fat (hips and thighs), but men primarily store visceral fat deep in the stomach area around vital organs [2].
• The Metabolic Threat: Visceral fat is highly metabolically active. It releases inflammatory molecules and free fatty acids directly to the liver. This process is a catalyst for chronic inflammation and insulin resistance, contributing to a higher and more direct risk of type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease (such as heart attack and stroke) [2].

For men, a high BMI is not just a weight issue; it is a direct, internal health ticking clock.

The Urgent Need to Focus on the GLP-1 Gender Gap

Despite being in greater overall need, men are significantly less likely to access highly effective modern treatments, such as GLP-1 medications.

• In a study on the use of Mounjaro in the UK, 77.6% of users were women, compared to just 22.4% who were men [3].
• Habitual Internal Data: This imbalance is echoed in Habitual's own patient base, which currently shows a split of 79% women to 21% men [3].

This treatment gap is not accidental; it is a systemic failure rooted in a combination of social and industry factors.

Bias 1: The Societal View of Health-Seeking Behaviour

Men's reluctance to engage with the healthcare system is a foundational barrier.

• Pressure to 'Tough It Out': An NHS related survey found that 48% of men felt pressure to “tough it out” and hesitated to seek help early, with societal perceptions of masculinity playing a significant role [4].
• Lower Health Literacy: Men are less likely to seek help from a healthcare professional, with 35% stating they only do so when absolutely necessary [4]. Furthermore, evidence suggests that men have lower levels of health literacy than women, making them less likely to use preventative services or understand the importance of early intervention [5].
• Awareness Gap: A 2025 UK cross-sectional survey revealed that women were significantly more likely than men to report high awareness (87% vs. 68%) and an excellent understanding of GLP-1 medications [6]. This disparity in knowledge directly affects treatment uptake.

Bias 2: Clinical Trial Imbalance

The industry's own research structure unintentionally compounds the problem.

• Overrepresentation of Women: Major clinical trials for GLP-1 drugs have systematically over-represented women. For example, the STEP-1 (Wegovy) and SURMOUNT-1 (Mounjaro) trials included approximately 73% women and 68% women, a huge female bias [3].
• The "Stronger Results" Hypothesis: This imbalance is often linked to a strategic selection bias: women are known to, on average, lose more weight than men in response to GLP-1 medications. By over-indexing female participants, trial sponsors can demonstrate a stronger overall drug efficacy [3].

Bias 3: Market and Marketing Focus

The multi-billion-pound diet and weight loss industry has historically targeted women, creating a profound perceived need among women. Consequently, men are often overlooked in the public health discourse, failing to recognise obesity as a disease requiring medical intervention [3].

We Require A Nationwide Call to Action for Equitable Care

The current model is failing men. The evidence is clear: men face greater physiological danger, yet access treatment far less frequently. The consequences are a preventable loss of healthy years.

Habitual's Commitment to Men's Health:

At Habitual, we recognise that the solution requires more than just making medication available; it requires a targeted, understanding approach that tackles the root cause of men's reluctance.

1. Framing Weight as a Health Risk, Not an Aesthetic: We communicate the risk of visceral fat in direct, life-saving terms, linking treatment to improved heart health, reduced type 2 diabetes risk, and increased longevity, rather than vanity.
2. Addressing the "Tough It Out" Barrier: Our platform is designed to overcome the reluctance to seek help, offering a supportive, evidence based pathway that respects men's preference for data driven solutions and minimal friction in accessing care.
3. Holistic, Long Term Support: As a trusted UK provider, we pair effective medical treatments, including GLP-1 medication plans, with the genuine, long term behavioural change support necessary to ensure the weight loss is maintained for good.

The National Health Service (NHS) has acknowledged the specific challenges in engaging men with weight management services, despite a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity in men compared to women in the UK.

There are specific NHS and Government papers and initiatives addressing men's health and weight, which as an NHS Doctor who sees and treats men on the frontline of obesity wholly approve of but there is room for more:

• Men's Health Strategy for England: The government launched a call for evidence for England's first ever Men's Health Strategy (April 2025 update), which directly aims to tackle health inequalities, including those driven by high rates of overweight and obesity in men (67% of men are overweight/obese, compared to 61% of women). The government announced its intention to develop and publish the Men's Health Strategy for England by the end of 2025. We need to ensure we act on those recommendations, and they are costed appropriately.
• Exploring the Influences on Men's Engagement with Weight Loss Services: An NHS related research paper highlighted that while men are less likely to engage with standard services (sometimes perceiving them as 'feminised'), those who do often lose as much or more weight than women.
• NHS Digital Weight Management Programme: This program, for people with obesity and diabetes/hypertension, has found that digital delivery may be more accessible and shows equitable engagement and comparable weight loss results across all socioeconomic and ethnic groups, which is crucial for reaching underrepresented groups like some men.
• Men's Uptake of Specialist Treatment for Obesity (MUSTO): This research study aims to explore how men living with obesity experience being invited to join an NHS specialist weight management program.

We All Need To Do More

Reframe Weight Loss Programmes Including Within the NHS

• Shift the Language: Move away from terms like 'dieting' or 'slimming club,' which men may perceive as 'feminised' or stigmatising.
  
  • Focus on Performance and Health: Frame the programmes around physical activity, healthy eating, strength, energy, and reducing the risk of specific 'male' diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer).

• Utilise Male Centred Settings: Deliver programmes in non-traditional healthcare environments where men are already comfortable.
  
  • Community and Sports Settings: Run programmes through local football clubs (e.g., FIT FANS), rugby clubs, or workplaces, leveraging the existing sense of camaraderie and team spirit.
• Offer Men Only Groups: Provide the option for groups to be men only to reduce feelings of self-consciousness, shame, or being 'out of place,' as identified by research.

More Targeted Awareness and Motivation

• Leverage Medical Diagnosis: Recognise that a medical diagnosis or direct GP referral acts as a powerful motivator for men, often driven by the fear of negative health consequences.
  
  • Proactive GP Intervention: Encourage GPs and other healthcare professionals in the private sector to actively discuss weight and offer referrals to men, as research shows men are almost as likely as women to accept a direct referral. Currently, men are referred less often.
• Public Health Campaigns: Launch awareness campaigns that use humour, male oriented banter, and relatable male role models to normalise weight management as a positive, achievable goal for men.
  
  • Focus on Risk: Clearly communicate the high prevalence and risk of obesity related conditions in men (e.g., heart disease, stroke, certain cancers).

Improving Service Delivery and Support

• Digital and Blended Models: Continue to promote and refine digital weight management programmes as they are often more accessible to working age men and can reduce the stigma of attending in person 'slimming' groups.
• Focus on Functional Goals: Tailor the programmes to focus on outcomes that matter to men, such as improved fitness, sleeping better, or having more energy to play with children/grandchildren, in addition to weight loss figures.
• Social Support and Accountability: Design programmes that prioritise social support and peer pressure/accountability among male participants, which has been shown to be a strong engagement factor.

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About the Author:

Dr Matthew McCarter MBChB MRCGP DipFSRH - Clinical Lead, Habitual, and GP (NHS). LinkedIn

Dr Matthew McCarter is a highly experienced General Practitioner (GP), with 12 years of service in the NHS, with a strong focus on clinical leadership and a dedicated interest in obesity medicine. He holds an MBChB from the University of Edinburgh and is a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), holding an additional Diploma from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (DipFSRH). Over the last four years, he has worked as a GP in Scotland with the Inverkeithing Medical Group, NHS Fife. In addition to his clinical work, he has served as the Clinical Lead for Habitual for two years, demonstrating commitment to advancing healthcare initiatives. He is a registered medical practitioner with the General Medical Council (GMC - Reg No. 7329058), and has pursued post-graduate qualifications in the field of obesity.

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