[Sharlin]

On the other hand, my guess is that male HN readers are not a very representative sample in this respect. That is, they (we) are significantly less likely than average to engage in the type of risky behaviors that mostly explain the gender disparity.

[klipt]

The difference is mostly heart disease not "risky behavior".

If anything the average software engineer is more likely to die of heart disease due to our sedentary lifestyles.

Sitting on chairs is the real "risky behavior" in terms of health, although few people think of it that way.

[Sharlin]

I wasn’t aware of the degree of disparity in early-onset ischemic heart disease, thanks. But it doesn’t seem to me it’s "mostly heart disease rather than risky behavior", more like those are both major causes of excess mortality among young men.

[somenameforme]

As a related topic, sex ratios [1] are extremely interesting to look at, as well as consider the overall effects (and evolutionary history) of. Most people think the chances of a child being male or female is 50/50. It's not! A newborn is somewhere around 5-7% more likely to be male than female. In times past this would level out extremely rapidly to the point that by our thirties, the sex ratios was more women than men.

But in modern times it's persisting much longer such that in our twenties there are still about 6% more males than females. Consequently, and in terms of actual coupling, this now means that even if every single female was actively seeking a partner, about 6% of men would end up alone. Homosexuality and other features may change the ratios somewhat, but it's probably again a fairly reasonable ballpark.

[1] - https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/sex-ratio-by-age

[Obscurity4340]

Are you aware of any distinction between extensive sitting vs extensive reclining like on a divan?

My intution is there is a distinction besides the fact both are sedate behaviors

[tliltocatl]

A lot of gender disparity is cardiovascular disease being 50% more likely to be diagnosed in men than in women of same age, so not directly related to risky behavior.