Unhealthy habits blamed for men's lower life expectancy

Hong Kong men live a more unhealthy lifestyle than women and can expect to die younger as a result, according to a government report.

Men's life expectancy in Hong Kong now stands at 78, six years less than that of women - and the gap will widen if they fail to improve their lifestyles, said Dr Thomas Tsang Ho-fai, a Department of Health consultant.

Dr Tsang said unhealthy lifestyles were one of the reasons men were more likely to die from diseases such as cancer and heart attacks. 'There are a lot of ways for men to improve their lifestyles, such as quitting smoking,' he said. 'If Hong Kong men refuse to take better care of themselves, such as by improving their diet and exercising more, the life expectancy gap could get even wider.'

The death rate among men from cancers is 90 per cent higher than for women. For heart disease it is 50 per cent higher, and for strokes 40 per cent higher.

According to a Department of Health report released yesterday, about one in three Hong Kong men fail to eat enough fresh fruit compared to one in five women. Twelve per cent of men do not eat enough vegetables, compared to five per cent of women.

Men are also more likely to choose high-fat meals.