REGARDING HEALTH AND fitness, it’s crucial to recognise that men and women have distinct strengths and vulnerabilities. Recent research has shed light on some fascinating differences. For instance, women might require more sleep despite being less prone to feeling the cold. On the other hand, men, while often jokingly accused of having ‘man flu,’ are less susceptible to gut problems than women. These are just a few examples of the ten unique health differences between the sexes:
1. Women Need More Sleep Kevin Morgan, emeritus professor of psychology at Loughborough University, explains that women usually need more sleep than men due to emotional responsibilities and hormonal factors related to menopause, predisposing them to insomnia. “There are differences in the complexity and intensity of brain activity during the day that affect women’s sleep needs,” Morgan says. A study by the University of Oxford reported that women are 58% more likely to experience sleep loss than men, partly due to male partners snoring.
2. Women Don’t Feel the Cold More Than Men Contrary to popular belief, women do not feel the cold more than men. A US National Institutes of Health study found no sex differences in temperature perception. Women were even found to have a slightly higher core body temperature in colder conditions. It could be because women generally have a higher body fat percentage, providing better thermal insulation.
3. Women Are More Prone to Iron Deficiency Iron deficiency anaemia, described by the World Health Organization as the most common nutritional disorder globally, affects more women than men. The UK’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey reported that many women have low iron intake. Iron is crucial for transporting oxygen in the blood, and a deficiency can lead to fatigue, headaches, and nausea. Women, especially those who menstruate heavily or are pregnant, should consume more iron-rich foods like red meat, beans, and leafy green vegetables.
4. Men Fall Behind on Fruit and Veg Consumption Men have consistently lagged behind women in fruit and vegetable consumption. The British Dietetic Association notes that not enough men or women meet the recommended five-a-day, but women generally get more fibre and nutrients from their diet. A study in BMC Medicine found that men who ate the most fruits and vegetables had a lower risk of bowel cancer, emphasising the importance of a varied diet for men.
5. Man Flu is Real A review in the BMJ suggested that man flu is not just dramatisation. Sex hormones play a role, with testosterone potentially dampening the immune response to viruses. Dr Jenna Macciochi of the University of Sussex notes that men and women respond differently to infections, possibly due to evolutionary factors related to reproduction.
6. Women’s Bodies Are More Flexible Women are generally more flexible than men, as shown by a 2022 study in Frontiers in Physiology. Paul Hobrough, a sports physiotherapist, explains that flexibility is influenced by the ability of joints and muscles to move comfortably. Women’s tendons and ligaments are more lax, contributing to greater flexibility.
7. Men Consume More Salt British men consume more salt than women, averaging 9.2g per day compared to women’s 7.6g. High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Graham MacGregor, chairman of Action on Salt, emphasises the importance of reducing salt intake to improve health outcomes.
8. Men Are More Active According to Sport England’s Active Lives surveys, men are generally more active than women. More men meet the recommended 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. A global study by Stanford University also found that men take more daily steps than women, highlighting the need for increased physical activity among women.
9. Women Have More Gut Problems Women are more likely to experience irritable bowel syndrome and other gut disorders. Guts UK reports that a higher percentage of women suffer from constipation, bloating, and tummy pain compared to men. Hormonal influences on gut bacteria may play a significant role in these differences.
10. Men Are the Biggest Snorers Men are likelier to snore and suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where throat muscles temporarily block airflow during sleep. Being overweight increases the risk of OSA, and a waist measurement above 94-102 cm (37-40 inches) is associated with the condition. A study by the University of Missouri found that a neck circumference over 43 cm (17 inches) strongly indicates OSA in men.
Understanding these differences can help tailor health advice and interventions to improve outcomes for both men and women.
