Weight loss for women and men

PROFESSOR HELEN TRUBY: So Denise, we obviously see a lot of women seeking weight loss management, but obviously men come to see their GPs as well looking for weight management, or perhaps looking for better health. Have you noticed any particular differences between how men and women might respond to different diets? DR.

DENISE THOMAS: Absolutely. And men might often be perceived as having it easier, in some ways. Men, because of their higher muscle mass, will tend to lose weight more easily. And secondly, they can get away with going on a diet of much higher energy value than a woman can. Also, the number of attempts a man makes to lose weight is generally fewer in their lifetime, compared to a woman. And that’s primarily because there’s obviously a social culture for women to conform to definite images. And therefore, we’re more worried about keeping our weight in check.

However, in terms of accessing how men are more challenging, you see more women turn up to primary care over the course of their lifetime in terms of pregnancy and children’s health. And so therefore are more easily spotted in terms of weight gain. In terms of what works for a man and what works for a woman, that’s also different. So for example, a man is less likely to want to join a group and be part of a group programme. They prefer one-to-one help. However, men do like to do more exercise and therefore are more encouraged by joining gyms and doing things like that.

They are also more possibly happier to join a virtual community and becoming more anonymous on an online support system. Women, however, do love the groups and do get a lot from group support and having weekly weight monitoring, et cetera. Women are also more likely to seek out peer support and what has worked for other people and want to join in on that.