The Diamond Creek OM:NI Group decided to have a speaker at its regular meeting on Tuesday, 15 October 2013, as a one-off, instead of holding its normal OM:NI meeting. Ron Wright kindly arranged for Dr Mark Ng from Austin Health to talk to the group about testosterone and its relevance to obesity and diabetes in men. The talk was attended by 18 blokes as well as by further eight from the Eltham OM:NI Group.

Dr Ng proved to be an engaging speaker who answered the blokes’ many questions with patience and humour. He outlined the effects of low testosterone, which affects as many as one in ten older men and explained how men with low levels of testosterone can be treated. He also told the group about the side effects of testosterone therapy, which cannot be used by men with prostate cancer.

Research has shown that obesity causes a decline in testosterone levels, whilst people with low levels of testosterone have a higher risk of obesity. Body weight loss in obese men is encouraged as it generally results in an increase in testosterone levels. Blood sugar levels go down with weight loss, thereby minimising the risks related to diabetes.

Dr Ng spoke about the difficulties of weight management, as distinct from weight loss. There are relatively effective dietary programs that assist obese people to lose weight, but research has shown that they generally have great difficulty in maintaining their lower weight levels over a period of time.

Austin Health is undertaking an ongoing research study (called T4DM) amongst men aged 50 to 74, using diet and testosterone treatment to prevent type 2 diabetes. Participants in the study receive free access to Weight Watchers. To find out more, visit www.t4dm,org.au, or call 9496 2282, or email t4dm-Austin@unimelb.edu.au

After the talk the men had their blood sugar levels checked by a nurse who had attended the talk with Dr Ng.

This was an informative event which was appreciated and enjoyed by all the men who had attended. A big ‘Thank you’ to Ron, who had proposed this excellent speaker.

Footnote…….
… this article is supplied courtesy of Tim Bruwer and photos by Alan Jones.
….and special thanks to Ron Wright for taking it on himself to organise the event.
– Admin