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Eating disorders are not just a problem for girls and women. Boys and men also suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. The common misconception that this disease only affects females can mean that boys often arrive for treatment later in the disease process. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, about one in three people struggling with an eating disorder is male, and an estimated 10 million males will struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

Studies suggest men often choose to be good fathers over being healthy. Becoming a father is a significant milestone in a man's life, often shifting the way he thinks from being “me focused” to “we focused.” But fatherhood can also shift how men perceive their health. Our research has found that fathers can view health not in terms of going to the doctor or eating vegetables but in how they hold a job, provide for their family, protect and teach their children, and belong to a community or social network. This research in this article explains why men live shorter lives than women, male…

While everyone needs to pay attention to their well-being, Men's Health Month aims explicitly at men's wellness. This article explores links between physical and mental health, specifically as they affect the well-being of men and boys. We also discuss steps men can take to promote good physical and mental health to live a longer, happier life.

Fatherhood can be joyful and rewarding, but it isn't always easy. No matter how positive and rewarding the role can be, parenting is also very demanding. Fatherhood also has many ideals attached to it, meaning that some dads feel pressured to live up to high expectations. Although each man experiences the transition to fatherhood differently, the transition is always transformational—changing a father's perspectives, attitudes, and goals forever. This stimulating lecture will describe how fatherhood can catalyze positive life changes for fathers and their children. 

Mental health issues make it more difficult for dads to engage in nurturing, interactive relationships with their children and partners. When fathers' mental health declines, the quality of their co-parenting relationships and the well-being of their children also declines. Fathers may experience various psychiatric disorders during parenthood, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive behavior, or substance use disorders, which can harm their children's development in detrimental ways. Join this critical discussion on what we…

You don't want to miss this panel of fathers who will share inspirational stories of how they overcame mental health stigma, rigid gender stereotypes, and shame to arrive at a place where they could acknowledge their mental and behavioral health challenges, ask for help, and—perhaps most importantly—accept help and participate in treatment. Session participants will learn how these dads navigated living with a mental health condition, what helped and harmed their journeys to achieving daily wellness, and how improving their mental health has transformed how they parent and their ability to…

Becoming a parent increases the risk of mental health problems for both men and women, but there is limited research examining this issue, particularly for fathers. In this session, we will provide an overview of mental health issues that fathers may face. We will discuss key risk factors, symptoms, and social determinants of mental health that explain the high prevalence of various disorders among men and fathers, including suicidality and substance use disorders. Field experts will describe what we know and the knowledge gaps that must be addressed.

Drinking alcohol undoubtedly is a part of American culture, as are conversations between parents and children about its risks. Alcohol affects people differently at various stages of life—for children and adolescents, alcohol can interfere with normal brain development. Alcohol’s differing effects and parents’ changing role in their children’s lives as they mature and seek greater independence can make talking about alcohol a challenge. Parents may have trouble setting concrete family policies for alcohol use. And they may find it challenging to communicate with children and adolescents…

This online resource for parents, guardians, and teachers offers tips to help children maintain a healthy weight with a focus on five key areas: 1) developing healthy eating habits, 2) limiting calorie-rich temptations, 3) being physically active, 4) reducing screen time, and 5) getting adequate sleep.

Children are naturally curious about others. When your child notices or asks questions about a person who has a disability or visible illness, it is an opportunity for you to talk about individual differences and respect. Your response will shape your child's future attitudes and actions toward people who live with ongoing health conditions or disabilities.