MEN ACROSS Worcestershire are being asked to pay more attention to their bellies and be honest about their weight.

The Men’s Health Forum, a national charity supporting men’s health, is challenging them to ask the question "Do you have a hazardous waist?”

This is the theme for the forum’s annual Men’s Health Week campaign which runs from Monday June 12 to Sunday June 18 this year.

It comes hot on the heels of recent news that almost 13,000 people ended up in Worcestershire hospitals in the past year with obesity as the primary or secondary cause of their problem.

These are the worst figures in the West Midlands on a per-head basis and the seventh highest in Britain.

Chief executive of Men’s Health Forum Martin Todd said: “Men are more likely to be overweight, more likely to face health problems such as diabetes because they are overweight, and less likely to get support to tackle their weight problems from health professionals.

“And, when they are offered help, too many of the services they are offered don’t reflect the latest research and don’t meet their needs.

“Our goal for Men’s Health Week 2017 is to help more men take action to address their weight problems, but also to get more services in place that are designed to work for men.”

According to the Health Survey for England (HSE) 2015 which was published in December last year, 67.8 per cent of men are now overweight or obese compared to 58.1 per cent of women, while the National Child Measurement Programme shows boys are now more likely to be overweight or obese than girls at Reception and Year 6.

Also, in general, men are less likely than women to perceive themselves as too heavy.

According to the forum, men’s excess weight – especially around the belly – is leading to higher levels of diabetes and cancers, such as prostate cancer. Men get diabetes as a lower Body Mass Index figure while the World Cancer Research Fund says there is strong evidence that being overweight or obese increases the risk of advanced prostate cancer.

The forum advises that belly fat is a problem because it lurks not just beneath the surface but also gets down deep and surrounds your vital organs. Regardless of a man’s overall weight, a large amount of belly fat increases the risk of:

• Cardiovascular disease

• Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

• Colorectal cancer

• Sleep apnea

• Premature death from any cause

• High blood pressure

“So, men need to get those tape measures out. If you have a waist measurement over 37 inches (94cm), you are at increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke and erection problems. If it's over 40 inches (102cm), you're at a considerably increased risk of all these. The measurement is not the same as your trouser size. Measure your stomach at the belly button” said Martin.

The charity’s advice is – move more, eat well and watch the booze. It also wants men to get involved in Men’s Health Week by sharing ideas and experiences of losing weight.

“Men's Health Week will be a fat lot of good without your participation. It's still not too late to tell us your belly good suggestions.”

Get involved by visiting https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw

The forum points out men generally eat a poorer diet than women and are less knowledgeable about healthy foods.

The 2015 HSE data showed the highest rates of male obesity were in the 45 to 74 age group, peaking between 55 and 64 where 81 per cent of men are overweight or obese; Hypertension (or high blood pressure) was twice as common among obese adults as among those of a normal weight; and Men are more likely than women to be affected by Type 2 diabetes.

The forum also reveals the need to tackle overweight and obesity is one of the greatest challenges facing the NHS. More men than women are overweight but men typically make up less than a third of those attending weight-loss programmes regardless of whether those programmes are delivered by the NHS or by commercial providers.

In April the Worcester News reported that 12,987 patients went to Worcestershire hospitals where doctors identified obesity as the primary or secondary cause of their health problem.

In response to the figures Dr Stephen Millar, the regional chair of the British Medical Association, said: "The statistics reveals the scale of the growing obesity problem we are facing.

"With the NHS at breaking point, these figures are a huge cause for concern.

"Obesity levels have increased from 15 per cent in 1993 to 27 per cent in 2015 with the number of obesity related hospital admissions increasing tenfold over the last decade.

"Worcestershire has the highest rate of obesity related hospital admissions in the West Midlands and amongst the worst in the country." He called it a “dangerous epidemic”.

Worcestershire County Council, which is responsible for public health, says it supports the use of 'Health Impact Assessments' on planning applications to keep a control over developments like takeaways.

A council spokesman also cited a project called 'Worcestershire Works Well' which links up with over 80 organisations to promote healthy workplaces.

He said: "The causes of obesity are complex, and tackling obesity requires long term action across society."