“More men need to be seeing their primary care physician,” he said. “Generally speaking, there needs to be more importance placed on health issues like diet and fitness. Our culture has grown more obese and sedentary. We moved away from working all day on the farm and eating what you grow. We do more desk work, and we’re not on a proper diet.”

Murphy encouraged men to look for a wide variety of ways to improve their diet and fitness.

“It even affects people in health care,” he said. “I’ve lost 30 pounds in the last year by changing my diet and lifestyle; no one is immune.”

Brian Ousley, owner of Strictly Fitness in Lakeland Shopping Center, said there may be cultural attitudes that influence whether men take good care of themselves.

“The statistics show that American women are more conscious of their health than American men,” he said. “The younger guys who come into the gym are usually concentrating more on improving their appearance. Only after about age 30 do we see more of an emphasis on the fitness side.”

Overall, Ousley said he believes there is room for improvement in what men do for their own well being.

“Typically men don’t spend the time to get the same number of regular doctor visits that women would,” he said. “For some reason, men put off that annual visit to the doctor.”

Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email