University of Central Lancashire, UKABSTRACT While research on lay perspectives of health now has a wellestablished history, specific empirical data on male lay perspectives of health and well-being are largely absent. Drawing on focus group data and in-depth interviews with 20 lay men (including sub-samples of gay men and disabled men), and seven health professionals, this article explores how the men conceptualized 'health' and the gendered nature of such conceptualizations. Specific emphasis is given to considering notions of 'control' and 'release', and the associated issues of 'risk' and 'responsibility', in the participants' health narratives. A conceptual model for understanding 'masculinity' and 'health' is presented.

Minerals stabilize organic carbon (OC) in sediments, thereby directly affecting global climate at multiple scales, but how they do it is far from understood. Here we show that manganese oxide (Mn oxide) in a water treatment works filter bed traps dissolved OC as coatings build up in layers around clean sand grains at 3%w/wC. Using spectroscopic and thermogravimetric methods, we identify two main OC fractions. One is thermally refractory (>550 °C) and the other is thermally more labile (<550 °C). We postulate that the thermal stability of the trapped OC is due to carboxylate groups within it bonding to Mn oxide surfaces coupled with physical entrapment within the layers. We identify a significant difference in the nature of the surface-bound OC and bulk OC . We speculate that polymerization reactions may be occurring at depth within the layers. We also propose that these processes must be considered in future studies of OC in natural systems.

This paper draws on research exploring lay men's and community health professionals’ attitudes towards ‘masculinity’ and ‘preventative health care’ conducted in the northwest of England. It is specifically concerned with the findings from the men's narratives that relate to male embodiment and the relevance of this to health and wellbeing. Whilst there is a burgeoning interest in the ‘sociology of the body’ it is only relatively recently that debates about embodiment have been supported by empirical research. Empirical work on male embodiment remains minimal and even less work has been done in considering the links between masculinity, embodiment and health. A series of focus groups and interviews were conducted with men that captured narratives about the lived (male) body in everyday life and its relation to health. These data allowed for greater insight into Watson's (2000) previous empirical work on the ‘male body schema’. Current findings presented here suggest that male bodies need to be considered as both material and representational, and that these two modes are not distinct but continually interact, with each other and with men's conceptualisations of health, to influence health practices and wider social interactions that impact on health and wellbeing.

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Unhealthy behaviours represent modifiable causes of non-communicable disease. In men, concern focuses on those (i) demonstrating the poorest health, exacerbated by a lack of awareness of the risks that their lifestyles pose and (ii) who neither consult their doctor nor use health services. Classed as 'hard-to-engage', distinctive strategies are needed to reach these men. Impact and process evaluations assessed the effect of a programme of men's health-delivered in/by English Premier League football clubs. Men attended match-day events and/or weekly classes involving physical activity and health education. Validated self-report measures for demographics and lifestyle behaviours were completed pre- and post-intervention. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed on pre-versus-post-intervention differences in lifestyle profiles, whereas interviews (n = 57) provided men's accounts of programme experience. Participants were predominantly white British (70.4%/n = 2669), 18-44 (80.2%/n = 3032) and employed (60.7%/n = 1907). One-third (n = 860) 'never' visited their doctor. Over 85% (n = 1428) presented with combinations of lifestyle risk factors. Intention-to-treat analysis showed improvements (P < 0.001) in lifestyle profiles. Interviews confirmed recruitment of men who were hard-to-engage and unhealthy. Men were attracted through football and/or the clubs, whereas specific design factors impacted on participation. Limitations include use of self-reports, narrow demographics, small effect sizes, lack of follow-up and the absence of non-completers in interviews.

Interest continues to gather in relation to the sociology of the body, gendered embodiment and the theoretical links between these in both health and ill-health contexts. However, the available empirical work that links embodiment, masculinities and health remains sparse. This paper presents secondary data analysis from an original study that aimed to consider the similarities and differences in the experience of a continuing (phase four) cardiac rehabilitation programme for individuals choosing to participate in either an exercise or yoga component. The data presented are derived from two in-depth interviews, carried out a year apart, with each of the 34 men who completed the original study.Watson's (2000) 'male body schema' was used to guide initial data coding and the subsequent analysis generated four overarching themes: 'embodied emotionality'; 'renegotiated embodiment'; 'embodiment and fitness' and 'knowing the hidden body'. An approach that theorises from, rather than about, men's bodies is fostered, and questions are raised about previous work that suggests men are emotionally 'disconnected' from their bodies and ⁄ or that they have a wholly mechanistic view of bodily function.

This paper presents a critical exploration of the relationship between masculinity, sport and health by reporting findings from a wider qualitative study on lay men's and health professionals' beliefs about masculinity and preventative health care. Recent years have seen a surge of interest in relation to 'men's health'. In particular, the Department of Health has highlighted how men's connection to sport, fitness and competitiveness can be used in health promotion initiatives to introduce facets of health. In contrast, work in the sociological and feminist literature has raised issues of concern about the relationship between men, masculinity and sport, particularly the links to aggression, misogyny and homophobia. It would appear then that a straightforward 'men + sport = health' relationship cannot be assumed. Focus groups and interviews with health professionals and men, including gay and disabled men, were undertaken to facilitate examination of the socially integrative meanings of sport and masculinity, and their relationship to health. Socializing, 'macho' culture and the body emerged as three main themes, and the implications of these empirical findings for health promotion are discussed.

In many ways, male farmers can be considered to be a vulnerable group in relation to mental health, experiencing high rates of suicide, psychological distress and low use of health services. This study highlights important connections between rurality, farming and masculinities in the context of men's mental health. In depth interviews with 32 male farmers from Québec, Canada were completed focusing on stress and coping strategies. Findings include informal and formal strategies. Many participants had previous positive experience of formal help and would be willing to use such help again and to recommend it to others in need. Those without such experience are skeptical about services but recognize the courage it requires to seek help. Pride and lack of knowledge about services are the main barriers to help seeking, but it can be legitimated in certain contexts, such as divorce or other psychosocial crisis, and by alignment with particular male ideals. Role models at national or local levels can also help farmers prioritize their own and their family's wellbeing over stigmas and rigid, traditional masculine ideals. Furthermore, gender based strengths and recommendations for practice are also discussed.