Too many men are failing to recognize the health risks of being overweight, according to Men's Health Forum chief executive Peter Baker.
He says that by not acting to tackle the problem, the NHS is making "a rod for its own back".
Women face a lot of cultural pressure to be slim. This is largely not because of health concerns and can sometimes have quite tragic consequences.
It does mean though, that many women often have a good understanding of the factors that affect their weight.
The majority of men, on the other hand, appear not to be as bothered about their weight as they maybe should be. Neither are health services.
A significantly greater proportion of men are overweight or obese (66% of men compared with 57% of women).
Too many men still die too young - 22% of men in England and Wales die before they reach 64 compared to 13% of women.
Overweight and obesity are a major factor in this excess burden of male death.
Two thirds of men are overweight or obese - the obesity rate alone could rise to 60% by 2050.
Overweight men tend to be "apple-shaped", overweight women "pear-shaped". For complex physiological and biological reasons, this extra fat around the middle causes much greater harm.
Yet many men seem unconcerned about their weight.
Their attitude is that weight is a "women's issue".
This is a cultural thing. Women face a lot more body image pressure than men, although that is starting to affect some young men too.
But generally it appears men are less aware of the connection between excess weight and poorer health.
Being overweight increases the risks of heart disease and stroke - the biggest killers of men.
It is also an important risk factor for several cancers.
Men are 70% more likely than women to die from cancers common to both sexes and 60% more likely to get such a cancer.
For a better life and a better health, not only women but men also need to take in more diet foods.
He says that by not acting to tackle the problem, the NHS is making "a rod for its own back".
Women face a lot of cultural pressure to be slim. This is largely not because of health concerns and can sometimes have quite tragic consequences.
It does mean though, that many women often have a good understanding of the factors that affect their weight.
The majority of men, on the other hand, appear not to be as bothered about their weight as they maybe should be. Neither are health services.
A significantly greater proportion of men are overweight or obese (66% of men compared with 57% of women).
Too many men still die too young - 22% of men in England and Wales die before they reach 64 compared to 13% of women.
Overweight and obesity are a major factor in this excess burden of male death.
Two thirds of men are overweight or obese - the obesity rate alone could rise to 60% by 2050.
Overweight men tend to be "apple-shaped", overweight women "pear-shaped". For complex physiological and biological reasons, this extra fat around the middle causes much greater harm.
Yet many men seem unconcerned about their weight.
Their attitude is that weight is a "women's issue".
This is a cultural thing. Women face a lot more body image pressure than men, although that is starting to affect some young men too.
But generally it appears men are less aware of the connection between excess weight and poorer health.
Being overweight increases the risks of heart disease and stroke - the biggest killers of men.
It is also an important risk factor for several cancers.
Men are 70% more likely than women to die from cancers common to both sexes and 60% more likely to get such a cancer.
For a better life and a better health, not only women but men also need to take in more diet foods.
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