Studies show that being a male is now regarded as a health hazard. Take this to heart for father’s day when you think "What do you buy the man who has everything?"

"Poor food choices and little infrequent physical activity have contributed to men having twice the rates of heart disease, certain cancers and overweight in later life, when compared to women," said Nutrition Australia Health Promotion Officer Louise D’Allura.

Statistics from the Australian Dietary Survey found many men still have a high fat, low fibre diet and 67% of men are overweight. It would appear that men attach less importance to health than women when selecting their diet.

When asked about his thoughts on men and cooking, Gabriel Gate, one of Australia’s best known chef and author of Good Food for Men, said "Cooking is a wonderful skill and being able to cook is a source of great sensual pleasure, a social asset and a splendid way to boost self esteem."

Men’s involvement in cooking and food preparation can be low due to: lack of encouragement, knowledge and skills as most men have traditionally been cooked for by women in Australia. Low income, access to fast food options, perceived effort required or lack of concern for health issues are other reasons why men don’t cook.

"The "empty nest syndrome" is also a difficult time for men," says Louise. "Cooking for one can be a real challenge after a lifetime of preparing large family meals." "The best present you could give Dad for Father’s Day is information on how to help them achieve better health," says Louise.

Nutrition Australia’s publications are ideal:
"Adding Life to Your Years: The Cookbook," for Dad’s over sixty; and "Food and Fitness for Men" for (for Dad’s of all ages).

Adding Life to Your Years: The Cookbook Adding Life to Your Years - The Cookbook ($4.45 includes postage) provides solutions in the form of recipes, information on how to eat well on a budget, menu plans plus shopping lists and colour photos of each recipe; while Food and Fitness for Men ($4.40 includes postage) is a useful handbook with information on food on the job, breakfast on the run, shiftworker’s meals, executive’s lifestyle menu ideas, shopping tips.