Study finds that men lead the way in losing weight
THE age-old idea that women care about their figures while men let their waistlines go to pot is all wrong says a study.
In fact males are better at dieting, losing weight faster and find it easier to keep it off.
The survey of 1,850 adults also showed that men seem to have more willpower than women when it comes to fighting the battle of the bulge.
A surprising percentage of men even went as far as to declare that dieting is “easy”.
Women tend to set more realistic weight-loss targets but admit they often lack the willpower to stick to their planned diet schedule.
Researchers asked respondents about the frequency and length of their diets, their chosen method of weight-loss and the end result.
The results showed men are better at losing weight over both long and short timescales. And it also revealed if men do start putting a few pounds back on after reaching their target weight, they do so more slowly.
We have seen a shift in consumer habits, with more men expressing their desire to shift the pounds, and keep them off, through healthier eating
Combining exercise with a healthy diet was the favourite weight-loss method for 28 per cent of men while the second most popular choice, walking more, was favoured by 23 per cent. Cutting out fat was third, chosen by one in five males.
On the other hand more women than men, at 15 per cent, are eating their five a day, Only nine per cent of men do so.
Both men and women were both as reluctant to give up alcohol to lose weight with a mere 13 per cent choosing to go dry.
A spokesman for Marks and Spencer, which carried out the research, said: “Historically it has been women who have been the most vocal in their bid to lose weight.
“However in recent years, we have seen a shift in consumer habits, with more men expressing their desire to shift the pounds, and keep them off, through healthier eating.”
The study also looked at how the different sexes assess their weight-loss.
Women frequently judge how well they are doing by reaching for dresses which they have previously struggled to get in to. Men tend to stick to using the bathroom scales. But one in three men instead gauge success by tightening belts.
