Observed annually in June, Men’s Health Month serves as a global platform to raise awareness about preventable health conditions and to encourage early detection and treatment among men and boys. The campaign calls for greater focus on men’s wellness, recognising the interplay between biological, social, and cultural factors that together impact health outcomes.
This year’s theme, “Stronger Together: Powering Men’s Wellness Through Prevention and Purpose,” reflects the growing understanding that men’s health requires more than medical intervention; it demands a holistic approach that includes nutrition, physical activity, mental health support, and community engagement. But what does it truly mean to prioritise men’s health? How can individuals, communities, and organisations work collaboratively to address the rising prevalence of chronic disease among men?
Men are disproportionately affected by non-communicable diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension (World Health Organization, 2022). Nutrition remains one of the most significant and modifiable factors in the prevention and management of these conditions, yet dietary interventions are frequently undervalued in public health discussions. Why is this the case? And how can we begin to change the narrative?
The Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat (LCHF) approach, supported by growing scientific evidence, offers a promising framework for men seeking to improve their metabolic health. This dietary strategy prioritises whole, unprocessed foods, reduces refined carbohydrate intake, and embraces protein and healthy fats; all of which contribute to improved weight management, stabilised blood glucose levels, and reduced inflammation (Noakes et al., 2017). Collectively, these positive changes contribute to an overall lower risk of disease.
At the forefront of this nutritional movement is The Noakes Foundation’s Eat Better South Africa (EBSA) initiative. An outreach program offering nutrition education designed to support individuals and families in adopting affordable, culturally relevant, and sustainable LCHF diets. The programme’s success demonstrates a simple but powerful truth: when people are equipped with the right information, they can make the right choices that drastically improve their health.
Men’s Health Month 2025 places a much-needed spotlight on five key areas: preventative healthcare, nutritional literacy, mental health awareness, physical activity, and community support. These priorities strongly align with the mission of The Noakes Foundation (TNF) and its outreach initiative, Eat Better South Africa (EBSA), both of which advocate for sustainable, science-backed interventions to improve the health of men across South Africa and beyond. Preventative healthcare through regular screenings and early interventions remains essential, especially for communities facing limited access to resources.
TNF and EBSA actively work to improve nutritional literacy, using the latest evidence on low-carbohydrate, whole-food diets to empower men to make better dietary choices that can prevent and reverse chronic illness. Importantly, Men’s Health Month also draws attention to mental health, recognising the growing need to support men dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression. Emerging evidence shows that improved metabolic health through dietary change can support better mood regulation and cognitive function, an area in which TNF continues to champion real-food interventions.
Encouraging men to engage in regular physical activity remains a central pillar in both TNF’s public health messaging and EBSA’s community-based programs. Finally, the month emphasises the value of positive social connections, which are fostered through EBSA’s local activities that bring communities together in the spirit of shared learning and health transformation. By supporting these five dimensions, The Noakes Foundation and Eat Better South Africa stand committed to reshaping men’s health through proactive, inclusive, and sustainable strategies.
Now let’s move from awareness to action. Raising awareness is a critical step, but how can we ensure it translates into action? How do we reach men who may feel excluded from or overwhelmed by traditional health messaging?
One solution lies in reframing the conversation around strength, autonomy, and purpose values that many men identify with. Health should not be portrayed as a burden or chore, but as a means to show up more fully in life, work, and family. Nutrition plays a central role in that journey. As we commemorate Men’s Health Month 2025, it is imperative to adopt a more integrated and sustainable vision of wellness, one that values nutrition, mental well-being, lifestyle, and community support as equally essential components of male health. If we are truly committed to reducing the health burden on men, then empowering them with the tools, knowledge, and motivation to eat better must be part of the solution.
So, what steps will you take this June to support yourself, your colleagues, your family, or your community? Health begins with awareness, but it is sustained through action.
References
Noakes, T., Sboros, M. and Creado, W., 2017. The Real Meal Revolution: Changing the World, One Meal at a Time. Little, Brown Book Group.
World Health Organization (WHO), 2022. Noncommunicable Diseases. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases.
The Noakes Foundation, 2024. Eat Better South Africa. [online] Available at: https://thenoakesfoundation.org.
Men’s Health Month 2025 – Priority Areas. Department of Health, South Africa (2025).
Noakes, T. (2017). Real Food on Trial: How the Diet Dictators Tried to Destroy a Distinguished Scientist. The Noakes Foundation.
Westman, E. et al. (2021). Evidence-Based Approaches to the Low-Carbohydrate Diet in Clinical Practice. Nutrition Reviews, 79(4), 395–409. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaa120
Eat Better South Africa. (2024). Community Interventions for Nutritional Education. https://eatbettersa.co
