Weight-Loss Different For Men And Women
Calgary Herald, 27th January 2009
It might not be that obvious, but losing weight for men is different than for women. In the society, there are about 16% more obese men than ladies. Obesity causes hundreds of premature deaths all over the world.
Boys are encouraged to eat as they grow up. They do not have obesity-related problems at this stage, as they spend lots of time on the field playing football, riding a bike or doing other activities. Their metabolism at this age is much quicker than the one they have got when they are older.
It all changes once they get older and start spending long hours in the office. They do very little sports or do not do any physical activity at all. If they join a gym, a few weeks are enough to get a flat stomach and impressive muscles. This gives men the impression they do not have to worry as they can get back to shape quickly. Women, on the other hand, in order to stay in shape, need more time and energy.
The reality is though, the metabolism gets slower and testosterone low. Men do not realise that until they reach their 40s.
The weight-loss industry is very much concentrated on women. The weight-loss programs, such as Weight Watchers and the Jenny Craigs, are addressed to the ladies. And they do not highlight the differences in the weight-loss between men and women.
Firstly, it is difficult for a man to admit he needs to lose weight as he is not vain or prepared to share his feelings. Ladies just join a group, talk about their problems and seek a solution. Also counting calories is not very masculine.
Another thing is that the pressure in the society to stay slim is much bigger for women than for men. It is far more acceptable to see a man eating a calorie-bomb than to see a lady doing the same.
Weight-loss requires lots of motivation as well as diet-change and physical activity. It is more challenging for men as, in general, they are less nutritionally aware.
“They get fed by their moms, and they get fed by their wives,” says Harvey Brooker, the male nutritional guru. “And they don’t much think about what’s being put on their plates.”
Men do not often think about the consequences of being obese. And the consequences are serious, starting from high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Women are genetically predisposed to store more fat in their hips and tights as reserves for pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is, obviously, no need for men to store this fat. The fat men store, are kept around their waist which affects organs like heart and lungs.
Changing a life-style is beneficial for both, men and women. Ladies have got, though, a slightly more difficult task. Not only they should take care of themselves, but also encourage their men to live a healthy life full of good diet and physical activity.
