A Christchurch man says the Canterbury District Health Board's (CDHB) refusal to allow men access to a personal health course is discriminatory.

Don Rowlands, 62, complained to the Human Rights Commission after he was not allowed to use the Appetite for Life programme, which aims to improve lifestyle and eating habits.

Rowlands was diagnosed with dangerously high blood pressure last year and was told he needed to lose weight.

His doctor recommended he complete the Appetite for Life course, which is run by the board."A letter came back telling me I wasn't accepted because men weren't eligible. They suggested I pay for a dietitian."

He said he could not afford a dietitian, and he didn't think the board was "being reasonable".

"Diets aren't as useful as approaches to understanding food and lifestyle strategies."

Rowlands complained to the Human Rights Commission, and the dispute went to mediation.

After offers of exercise and nutrition programmes, which were not starting for months or were already full, Rowlands was offered a weekly pilot course for men.

However, the course is yet to become available to men.

"I want men to be able to access the course. Men with diabetes and heart issues, they could greatly benefit from this course, especially men on low incomes who can't afford a private dietitian. It is important for a doctor to have a place to send them," he said.

Canterbury Men's Centre manager Donald Pettett said the board had been "flat-footed" on the issue.

"Men have the worst health-related behaviours, the worst health outcomes, and the health system rarely decides to focus on us as a group," he said.

It was ironic the health system had consistently focused on women for health programmes when they had the best health outcomes and health-related behaviours, he said.

"Men deserve equitable access to healthcare services, and especially at this time in Canterbury we need them to be healthy," he said.

Christchurch GP Rob Williams, who runs Menzmedical, which offers male-specific services, said he was surprised the board would run a programme catering for adult women.

"[Being overweight] is a universal problem – not just confined to women," he said.

If the programme was funded by taxpayers, it should cater for all overweight people, not just women, he said.

CDHB planning and funding general manager Carolyn Gullery said the health of the entire population, including men, was a priority for the board.

"There are ... initiatives in Canterbury that already address men's risk and protective factors. We do not expect such programmes to fit the needs of women, nor suggest they participate in them."

The Appetite for Life course had not been tested with men and adapting it for them would require big changes, she said.

The Appetite for Life project team would decide this month if itwould accept men, she said.