Men’s Health in Focus at Travelworld

Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld’s Stuart Phipps yesterday held an in-house Men’s Health and well-being session in support of International Men’s Day, officially recognised on the 19th November.

Having experienced a heart attack in July, Stuart wanted to highlight the often over-looked issue of men’s health, and how we need to be more open about it. He said: “My heart attack earlier this year came as a real shock to me, so I decided to do something about it and change my own habits. International Men’s Day was the perfect time to share my newly acquired knowledge and highlight the important issues facing men’s health to the rest of the Travelworld team.”

Men’s health falls behind women’s in the UK

Stuart began his working lunch session by telling the all-male participants from Travelworld’s service, sales and parts teams that the state of men’s health in the UK lags behind women’s, and that coronary heart disease is the biggest killer for men. He explained that as a nation, we are getting bigger and that our health service is having to handle an unhealthy adult population, a situation that is not sustainable.

Preventable conditions

Stuart said that heart disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes are largely preventable conditions, and ran through ways in which men can help themselves to ward off coronary disease, high blood pressure, prostrate problems and improve mental health and well-being in the workplace.

Calorie intake test

The group were then given a small test to see what they knew about the calorie, sugar and fat content in foods such as pre-made sandwiches, a pint of beer and a packet of crisps, the findings of which were discussed within the group, along with recommended super foods that men should be consuming more of. Prostrate issues were also discussed and advice given on how men can help themselves self-diagnose.

Erik Baxendale, EHC’s Operations Manager attend the session. He said: “The motorhome business is fast-paced; on a daily basis, we’re focussed on getting vehicles ready, making sure parts are in on time and ensuring everything is running as smoothly as possible. Like many other busy organisations, we’re absorbed by the task at hand, and it can feel like there’s little time left. Stuart’s session was brilliant in highlighting issues many men don’t talk about, and helped make us all realise we must put our health as a priority.”