Cultivating and maintaining a healthy relationship with food is vital to achieving a well-balanced lifestyle – regardless of gender. Despite that, empirical evidence shows that men and women have different relationships with their eating habits, sparking conversations about the correlation between food and gender.
According to recent studies, 75% of men feel they have a positive relationship with food, while only 54% of women share this sentiment. This may be because men often feel less pressure than their female counterparts to present themselves in a particular way. This could lead to women feeling greater concern over their physicality, weight, and eating habits.
According to Michelle Zellner – an author, keynote speaker, and founder of Better Beings – underlying societal causes of gender disparity could lead to an unsettling future. During her 25 years of experience as a mental, physical, and emotional health coach, Michelle has witnessed several problematic habits adopted by men in particular. Some of these include missing annual health screenings and neglecting their diet and exercise routines. According to Michelle, many of these concerns have stemmed from years of ignorance and society’s approval of unhealthy patterns of behavior – normalizing them rather than acknowledging their dangers.
She comments: “What men have is testosterone and muscle mass. These hidden gems work relentlessly, shielding men from gaining weight and gathering excess body fat. That’s why we hear females often say that their boyfriends, husbands, or brothers can eat anything, and it doesn’t matter. That is where the problems start; by saying that, we focus too much on what food does to our weight instead of how it impacts our well-being,”
“Even if men do gain weight, many people turn it into positivity, glorify ‘dad bods,’ and display more empathy than toward women. That is evident when we look at the most popular films and TV shows, where the sight of an attractive woman with a not-so-fit guy is nothing new,” Michelle continues.
In many cases, physical appearance is essential to how society values any individual. While on one side of the spectrum, men may refuse to prioritize their outward image, there is another side of this extreme. This is where men dedicate their entire lives to the gym, working on bulking, gaining muscle, and monitoring their calorie content to reach a desired physique.
This demographic of men, alongside all those under the age of 35, fall into a group Michelle calls the ‘YBI’ or Young, Beautiful, and Invincible. This category of individuals often believe they can eat whatever they like, as long as they burn it off afterward – typically because they have yet to face the inevitable signs of aging.
“They follow these unhealthy habits most of their lives, and it’s demanding to make a change. But they must remember they won’t be these 20-year-old athletes forever. One day, they will wake up as 40-year-olds sitting behind a desk all day, and whatever remaining testosterone there is won’t be enough anymore,” adds Michelle.
Aside from dissatisfaction with their looks, men over the age of 40 may be more at risk of experiencing medical complications like cardiovascular disease. To help people nurture their health from the inside out, Michelle recommends a combination of healthier habits accompanied by regular visits with a medical professional. This way, individuals can identify any underlying conditions and make proactive changes before it’s too late.
“The world is better with strong men around,” says Michelle. “A strong person is someone who has the stamina and strength to get through daily chores, including those physically demanding. It is someone who has the emotional intelligence to recognize the value of their emotions and knows how to express them. That person is open to learning, growing, and doing the hard work to achieve their goals.”
Michelle believes that real change happens from within. “Mental health is the foundation of everything. Though it is internal, mental health always has an external expression. People turn to food, alcohol, and other substances when their sense of self-worth is disturbed, trying to fill a void and deflect internal pain. The key lies in understanding the signs of this outward expression and taking intentional steps to improve the quality of life,” she adds.
Especially for men, talking openly about their emotions and mental health can be difficult due to social stigmas and the pressure to provide for those around them. Throughout her career, Michelle has hosted multiple workplace conferences, workshops, and speaking engagements to challenge the narrative surrounding what men are expected to be. In her work, she encourages men to shift their socially influenced perspectives and take care of their minds as well as their bodies.
She shares: “If there was one thing I could say to men struggling with self-expression, it would be to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Nobody wants to do the hard thing, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Face the fear, embrace it, and let go of the limitations.”
With an honest desire to improve the lives of those she works with, Michelle Zellner stands as a leading voice for a more healthy, well-informed population. Whether it’s through her books, the Be A Better Being Podcast, or the just-for-men course at her exclusive YOUniversity, Michelle brings necessary attention to the importance of prioritizing health over appearance.
“It’s all about inspiring young men to appreciate the choices they are making today and showcasing the towering impact these choices will have tomorrow,” Michelle adds, emphasizing her mission behind Better Beings. “The earlier you start, the more benefit there will be. But the good news is, it is never too late to implement positive changes.”
