Originally published September 28 2005
Women shed weight slower than men, study says
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Men are better at losing weight than women, a Slimming World study found, based on the fact that 91 percent of male participants lost 5 percent of their body weight in 12 weeks whereas 53 percent of female participants did; a phenomenon researchers attribute to a number of factors including men's average higher muscle mass, which assists in fat burning.
A new study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics claims that men are better at losing weight than women.
The study by Slimming World found that 91 percent of men lost 5 percent of their body weight in 12 weeks, as against 53 percent of women.
In other words, after 12 weeks average weight losses among women were 15lbs, whereas men lost 23.5lbs on average.
Dr Jacquie Lavin, a nutritionist with Slimming World, said there were potentially a number of reasons why men might be more successful at losing weight.
One key reason is that they tend to have a higher muscle mass than women, and so burn up energy faster.
Lavin said that women who join slimming clubs had often tried various diets over a long period of time, and become somewhat cynical about their chances of success, but men often did not have the same history of dieting, and tended to be less cynical and more motivated to follow instructions.
According to the researchers, there is a misconception that slimming centres are exclusively meant for women and are not appropriate for them.
But, this this belief can only add to the increase in male overweight and obesity, they warn, adding that slimming clubs are a feasible option for men and should not be ruled out by obese men.
"Slimming groups are a predominantly female environment but they don't have to be.
With the number of overweight men increasing, more options need to be available.
Men need a practical solution to slimming, one that is accessible and realistic.
They want plenty to eat and they want to have a laugh at the same time," BBC quoted Lavin as saying.
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