Dear Mr. Dad: I’m completely convinced that my son has an eating disorder. When he was little, he was always a little on the heavy side. At about 11—right when puberty hit—he suddenly started dieting. At first, I was proud of him for taking charge of his own weight. He looked really good and seemed...Continue reading
Category: Health
Cardiac Health Should Concern Everyone, Especially Young Men
As a young man, I often learned life lessons from my father. Perhaps none have been as lasting as the lesson he inadvertently taught me about health as his own health took a downward turn. While I was in middle school—a time when most boys are navigating puberty—my dad was busy prepping for heart valve...Continue reading
The Importance of Roughhousing
Dear Mr. Dad: My husband and our boy-girl twins love to wrestle, but I’m worried that all that physical activity and getting revved up will make them—especially our son—see violence as acceptable. Should I be concerned? A: Not at all. In fact, the evidence supports the exact opposite conclusion. In their book, The Art of Roughhousing, Anthony...Continue reading
Do You Have Testicular Cancer? The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force Doesn’t Want You to Know
I am a 22-year-old man, and I have some questions for men of whom I am concerned. Gentlemen, have you had any action down there lately? No, I meant have you self-checked your testicles for any abnormalities – bumps, lumps, or humps? Regardless of your activity or lack thereof down south, you should. According to...Continue reading
Persistent Pain: Is It All Just In the Brain?
Did you know that when you experience pain that is persistent, the central nervous system–that is your brain and spinal cord–plays an important role in how you feel? According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, pain is ‘an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience’ in response to ‘actual or potential tissue damage.’ The...Continue reading
Health Benefits of Gaming
Living today is basically being told one cautionary tale after another about what is bad for your health. We are told ‘don’t do this’ or ‘make sure you only have this in moderation’. However, sometimes, some good news comes along. The latest piece of good news is that gaming is good for you, in a...Continue reading
Embracing Change: Why Men are No Longer Hesitant to Undergo Orthodontic Treatment
Men getting braces? Surprised? Well, we’re not. Men are no longer afraid to get orthodontic treatment as they embrace self-improvement and the social stigma around braces has disappeared which has led to more men getting braces in recent times. Here are four great reasons why men are getting adult braces nowadays: Braces for Men...Continue reading
Men’s Health Month is Every Month
Dear Mr. Dad: I’m 15, and my father, who’s in his mid-40s, regularly reads your column, which is why I need your help. He barely exercises, eats horribly, is an over-stressed workaholic. I’m afraid he’s going to die. What can my mom and I do to get him to take better care of himself? A: Your...Continue reading
Check ‘Em Lads: Why Young Men Should Care About Testicular Cancer
In general, guys do not think about their testicles on a day-to-day basis. Unless we have some pain or feel an abnormality, we let them go on with their day. The testicles actually are very important to the male body. The testicles serve as a factory for sperm production, which is important for fertility. The...Continue reading
5 Dental Problems that Men are Likely to Suffer From
Why is oral health important for men? Studies indicate that men are a lot less likely to take care of their oral health than women. Having good oral health has been linked with having a good life with fewer health problems. Men are less likely than women to seek out preventative dental care and often...Continue reading