Better with age: a health promotion program for men at midlife

The current study evaluated a new program designed to improve mental and physical health among middle-age men. The program focused on increasing awareness of health behaviors such as diet, exercise and on improving positive body image messages, self-efficacy and coping skills. Seventy-six men aged 40 to 65 years participated in the study, with 43 men in the intervention group (M = 51.40 years; SD = 7.52 years) and 33 men in the waitlist control group (M = 54.93 years; SD = 4.81 years). Participants in the intervention group attended a 90 min workshop each week for 4 consecutive weeks. Measures of the above target variables were taken preprogram, postprogram, and at 3-month follow-up. The program was effective in improving numerous adaptive coping strategies and body fat percentage at follow-up. In addition, trends toward improving healthy lifestyle factors were observed. Other measures, including self-efficacy and body image, did not reveal significant improvements as a result of the intervention. Findings are discussed in terms of previous research and suggestions for future prevention programs.