It should come as no surprise that men have as broad and as varied health issues as women. A common stereotype is that men shy away from exploring their feelings, relationships, physical health, diets and other topics seen as largely feminine; however, for today’s man this just isn’t so. More and more men are taking an active interest in their health and overall happiness.

The top threats to men’s health include diabetes, strokes, depression, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart attack and cardiac arrest, testicular disease, and prostate disease. Nearly 30 million men are affected by prostate problems and of the 230,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, 30,000 will die.

Research shows that over the last 25 years obesity among American men has doubled. Today, 71 percent of men are overweight. Men tend to pack on the pounds around their waist, increasing their chances of heart attack, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, sex performance problems, and cancer. Health care professionals suggest that if you’ve gained more than 20 pounds since college you should alter your food choices and fitness regime to a healthier plan.

Dieting, once considered a girl thing, is now popular among men. In a culture marked by inactive lifestyles, rigorous work routines, cheap food, and a highly body-conscience populace, it is no wonder that more men are cutting back and dieting. Generally, men tend not to connect with words like diet or slim, and instead are apt to relate to diets and fitness programs geared toward strength, stamina and masculinity. Furthermore, society’s ever increasing microscope on body image can lead to exercise addiction and eating disorders, even among men.

Studies show that guys may be hardwired with a strong connection between overall health and sexual performance. After all, it is typical for health problems like obesity, substance abuse, diabetes, heart disease, and depression to quell an erection. And since an erection is linked to hormones, muscles, blood vessels, the nervous system, and overall psyche, is it any wonder that unhealthy factors in your life may negatively affect your sexual performance? Men deal with a myriad of sex-related issues including erectile dysfunction, premature and delayed ejaculation, decreased sex drive, sex addiction, pornography compulsion, circumcision, and penis enlargement.