A women-only lifestyle course that sparked complaints to the Human Rights Commission is being replicated for men.

The Canterbury District Health Board's Appetite for Life programme has been available to women with health problems from unhealthy lifestyles for six years.

The course was recommended to Don Rowlands, 62, by his doctor after he was diagnosed with dangerously high blood pressure and told he needed to lose weight.

However, he was told by the health board that men were not eligible for the programme. Rowlands complained to the Human Rights Commission, and the dispute went to mediation.

He participated in a pilot programme the board ran for men between May and June, which he said was "very positive". His blood pressure was now at a normal level, and he had felt better since his lifestyle change.

"It's great to do that with a group of men. You often learn a lot by listening to other people's stories. We shared a meal every night and it was fun," he said.

CDHB planning and funding general manager Carolyn Gullery said a course for men was being designed as part of the board's long-term goals, not because of complaints to the Human Rights Commission.

"With all the disruption caused by the earthquakes, planning for designing the men's course was delayed, but we are now back on track and looking forward to delivering the programme once it's been designed," Gullery said.

It was better to have separate courses for men and women because they "have different health needs".

"It will take some time before we know the outcomes of how effective the course is for men," she said. The board hopes to have the course running next July.