Building Healthier America

Building Healthier America Announces the ‘High Five’ Program Addressing Factors Affecting the Energy Levels of Overweight Men. New Survey of Overweight and Obese Men Reveals that Reduced Energy and Fatigue Are the Most Negative Effects of the Conditions

The High Five Campaign was launched by Building Healthier America to empower overweight men, age 45 and older, to take control of their health in spite of their growing waistlines. Currently there are approximately 127 million overweight adults in the U.S. and 67 percent of those are men. Data shows that the number of overweight adults is on the rise, making the High Five campaign more important than ever.

Building Healthier America has identified high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar/glucose, poor diet and low testosterone as the High Five factors that overweight men need to be aware of as the number on their scale increases.

If an overweight man is trying to lose weight, ignoring one of the High Five factors could have him spinning his wheels. The High Five campaign aims to offer information and tools to help men have informed conversations with their doctors to determine if the High Five factors may be having an effect on their overall weight management efforts.

Building Healthier America surveyed 2,000 overweight and obese men 45-65 years of age to determine the potential barriers to weight loss faced by overweight/obese men. Key survey findings include:

High Five

• Reduced energy and fatigue are the most common negative effects of being overweight or obese; nearly 60 percent of men report having their energy levels zapped due to weight

• Fatigue and low energy are the most common reasons men lack motivation to lose weight

• At their last doctor visit, only 1 percent of respondents talked about all High Five factors with their doctor

• Of the High Five, men were least knowledgeable about the impact of low testosterone – a chronic medical condition with symptoms like fatigue and decreased muscle mass

Weighty Issues

• Men report they are three times as likely to seek information about maintaining a healthy weight online than by speaking with their friends

• Ninety-two percent of men were weighed at their last doctor visit, but less than 40 percent of doctors discussed weight with them

• For better or worse: men would rather go to the OBGYN with their wife, or talk to their doctor about erectile dysfunction than step on the scale at the doctor’s office

• Men report that a spouse or significant other would motivate them to lose weight more than a doctor or other family member

• Waistline Connection: Ninety-four percent of men would rather take inches off their waistline than any other part of their body, including their face

• On average men’s weight has crept up by about five pounds per year

Campaign Elements
The High Five campaign features tools and resources at www.BuildingHealthierAmerica.org.
Visitors will find information about the signs and symptoms of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar/glucose, poor diet and low testosterone and their ties to lack of energy.

Visitors can download a printable “High Five Check List” and men can take the check list to their doctor to help lead conversations about how the High Five factors are linked to being overweight and how these factors can negatively impact their energy levels.

As part of the campaign men are encouraged to “High Five” a friend, colleague or loved one by sending them the “High Five Check List.” Building a sustainable culture of health requires behavioral and environmental changes in individuals and communities. Building Healthier America is a national nonprofit dedicated to Consumer Awakening and Community Empowerment to reverse the obesity trends facing children, families and communities.

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