The encouraging part is that these are things you can learn about and act on. Maybe you want to look after your own health. Maybe you're worried about your dad, your partner or your brother. Or perhaps you're a fitness professional who wants to do more for the men you train. Whichever it is, understanding men's health is a brilliant place to start, and it's something you can study fully online with LEAP Academy.
Men's health UK statistics: what the figures tell us
The Men's Health Strategy pulls together some uncomfortable numbers. In 2022, 67.2% of men in England were overweight or obese, compared with 60.8% of women. Over 5 million men are classed as inactive, which means they do less than 30 minutes of activity a week. Healthy life expectancy for men is just 61.5 years, and it's fallen by a year and a half in the last decade.The strategy also notes that men are less likely to attend NHS Health Checks and can be less likely to seek help when something's wrong. So it's not only about what's happening to men's bodies. It's about whether men get the support and information they need early enough to do something about it.
None of this means men's health UK figures are set in stone. Many of the biggest risks, such as carrying extra weight, sitting too much and not looking after your mental wellbeing, respond well to changes in exercise and diet.
What is the Men's Health Strategy?
The Men's Health Strategy for England is a 10-year plan from the Department of Health and Social Care, first published on 19 November 2025. It sets out how the government wants to improve the health of men and boys, with a strong focus on prevention.For anyone interested in health and fitness, a few of its commitments stand out:
- a Health Coach programme to help people with physical activity, healthy eating and other lifestyle changes
- promoting free NHS tools like Active 10 and Couch to 5K, including in workplaces
- a national campaign encouraging millions more people to walk and, where they can, run regularly
- investment in community facilities for physical activity
The message running through the men's health strategy is clear. Better health for men depends on people who understand exercise and nutrition, and who can help others build healthy habits that stick.
Why November is Men's Health Awareness Month
November is widely marked as Men's Health Awareness Month, with International Men's Day falling on 19 November. You'll probably also know it as the month when moustaches appear for Movember fundraising.Men's Health Awareness Month is a good prompt to check in on yourself and the men around you. But the habits that protect men's health don't switch on and off with the calendar, so it's worth thinking about what you can keep doing long after November ends.
How exercise supports men's health
The NHS physical activity guidelines say adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity a week. On top of that, they recommend strengthening activities that work all the major muscle groups on at least 2 days a week.Strength work often gets overlooked, but it's one of the most useful things a man can add to his week, especially as he gets older. You can find out more in our guide to the benefits of strength training for men.
Exercise isn't only good for the body either. Being active can lift your mood and give you a healthy way to deal with stress, which is why it plays a big part in supporting men's mental health.
Why nutrition matters just as much
You can't out-train a poor diet. According to the NHS, men use around 2,500 calories a day on average, and losing just 5 to 10% of your body weight can improve your health if you're carrying extra weight.What you eat affects far more than your weight, though. It affects your energy, your heart health and how well your body recovers from training. Our guide to nutrition for men looks at what men need at different ages, and if you want something more structured, we've also explained how to build a diet and exercise plan for men.
Waist size and men's health
Your weight on the scales doesn't tell the whole story. The NHS points out that BMI can't tell the difference between muscle and fat, so a muscular man can be classed as overweight even with very little body fat.That's why your waist is worth measuring. The NHS advice is to keep your waist size to less than half your height. So if you're 180cm tall, you'd aim for a waist under 90cm.
Carrying extra fat around your tummy is linked to a higher risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
If you're aged 40 to 74 and don't already have certain conditions, you should be invited for a free NHS Health Check every 5 years. It includes measuring your waist, a blood pressure test and a cholesterol test. If you haven't been invited and think you're eligible, contact your GP practice.
Health tips for men you can start this week
You don't need to overhaul your whole life to make a difference. These health tips for men are small, realistic changes that add up:- Measure your waist and compare it with half your height.
- Book your NHS Health Check if you're 40 to 74 and haven't had one in the last 5 years.
- Add two short strength sessions to your week, even if they're bodyweight exercises at home.
- Break up long spells of sitting with a short walk.
- Cut back on alcohol, which the NHS notes is high in calories.
- Fill more of your plate with fruit and vegetables.
- Talk to someone you trust if you're struggling, rather than keeping it to yourself.
If you're helping a friend or family member, the same health tips for men apply. Doing them together often makes them easier to stick to.
Studying men's health with LEAP Academy
Knowing the right thing to do is one thing. Understanding why it works, and being able to explain it to someone else, is what really makes the difference. Here's how our online courses can help, depending on where you're coming from.
If you want to look after your own health
Our Exercise & Nutrition for a Healthy Lifestyle course is designed for people who want to learn more about exercise, nutrition and general health, without necessarily working in the fitness industry. You'll learn how the body works, how exercise and nutrition support a healthy lifestyle, and how wider factors like stress and sleep fit in. By the end, you'll be able to build a sustainable health and fitness programme for yourself.
If you're worried about someone you love
That same course is a great fit if you want to support a dad, partner, brother or friend. You'll understand the science behind the advice, so you can encourage healthier habits with confidence rather than guesswork. It's never a replacement for a GP, but it can help you have better conversations and spot when it's time to suggest getting checked out.
If you want to help male clients
If you'd like to turn an interest in men's health into a career, our L3 Personal Trainer Nutrition Specialist package qualifies you as a Level 3 Personal Trainer and gives you a Level 4 Certificate in Nutrition for Weight Management and Athletic Performance. That means you can offer both training and nutrition coaching, which is exactly the combination the men's health strategy calls for. You can also explore all of our personal training courses to find the right fit.Learn with the support of a community
All of our courses are fully online, so you can study at your own pace around work and family. You're never on your own either. As a LEAP Academy learner, you'll get access to the learndirect: Community Hub app, where you can join discussion groups, connect with other learners and alumni, and share ideas and questions as you go.
