It's a Guy Think

THEY SAY "A beer belly is full of risks," said Robert S. Tan, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Texas and Baylor's College of Medicine. "Your virility may be compromised since the fat cells can affect the metabolism of testosterone adversely. You may impair your sexual functioning."

This is not good news, considering the results of a 2004 study sponsored by the clothing and textile industries called SizeUSA. Some 10,000 people in 13 cities were electronically scanned. The average waist size of the 36- to 45-year-old American white and Hispanic man is now 38 inches, up from 36. The waist of the average African American male in the same age group is 37. Tan adds that your gut -- officially known as "centripetal obesity" -- puts you at risk for heart disease, hypertension, a high triglyceride level and low HDL (good) cholesterol. Type 2 diabetes risk is increased for the big-bellied set, too.

"Gathering fat around the abdomen is the most dangerous place," said Jean Bonhomme, founder of the National Black Men's Health Network and teacher at the Emory School of Public Health in Atlanta.

Besides the risks cited above, a paunch "pulls your lower spine forward and increases the curve. People with big bellies tend to have a lot of backaches," Bonhomme said.

The good news: Losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can reduce your visceral-fat stores by 25 to 40 percent. In other words, even a modest weight loss can make a big dent in your visceral beer keg.

So, to review belly basics: It can wreck your sex life, give you backaches, trigger chronic disease and lead, maybe, to premature death. Think maybe it's time to get to the gym?

YOU SAY "Real men don't use sunscreen."

THEY SAY Hey, Tarzan, you ever hear of skin cancer?

One person dies of melanoma in the United States every hour. In 2004, 7,910 U.S. deaths will be attributed to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, according to American Cancer Society estimates. Guys will outnumber gals in that particular death race by an almost 2-1 margin.

More men than women work outdoors, partly explaining the gap. But many women's cosmetics and skin creams, which are applied daily and not just at the beach, provide sun protection. And let's face it, men are not considered stylish if they show up at the beach in a floppy, wide-brimmed hat. Sure, a guy could wear a sombrero or a 10-gallon to the beach, but . . . well, no he couldn't.

Which means: Slap on the SPF 15 or higher. Be sure to get the back of your neck, which your skanky Red Sox cap doesn't cover, and the tip of your nose and the sides of your face. Put the umbrella up and park yourself under it. If you're lucky enough to be with a woman willing to apply lotion to a hairy back, accept her offer and reward her later.

Remember, women live six years longer than we do. So come on, guys, let's get tested, get exercise, eat right and protect our skin. If we're ever going to live longer than women, we have to work together as a team.

And we're going to crush. •

Buzz McClain last wrote for the Health section about electrodiagnostic testing.