Fewer men join weight-loss programmes than women but are more likely to stick with them, an analysis of international obesity studies has found.
The report found that middle-aged men are motivated to lose weight once they perceive they have a health problem to tackle.
They welcome the moral support of other men in weight-loss programmes and also prefer the use of simple ‘business-like’ language and humour used sensitively.
Researchers from the universities of Aberdeen, Bournemouth and Stirling analysed evidence from around the world involving more than 15,000 men gathered from weight-loss trials and studies.
They suggest that if weight-loss programmes were designed for men they might be more effective at helping them lose weight, which could reduce the risk of health problems like type 2 diabetes.
Obese men who eat less lose more weight than those who take more exercise but do not eat less
Chief investigator Prof. Alison Avenell, a clinician from the Health Services Research Unit at the University of Aberdeen, said: “More men than women in the UK are overweight or obese, but men are less likely to see their weight as a problem and engage with weight-loss services, even though obesity increases the risk of many serious illnesses.
“This could be because dieting and weight-loss programmes are perceived as feminine activities.
“We looked at the outcomes of many previous studies which included men, as well as interviews with men, in order to find out more about how to design services and inform health policy.
“While more research is needed into the effectiveness of new approaches to engage men with weight loss, findings suggest that men should be offered the opportunity to attend weight-loss programmes that are different to those attended by women.”
The team particularly investigated what would make services more appealing for men.
They found that obesity interventions in sports clubs, such as football clubs, have been very effective, with low dropout rates and very positive responses.
Men are likely to prefer weight-loss programmes delivered by the National Health Service rather than those run commercially.
As well as considering health, men were motivated to lose weight to improve their personal appearance without looking too thin. The researchers carried out a systematic review of the evidence on obesity management published by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme.
They found that cutting calories together with exercise and following advice on changing behaviour are the best way for men to shed kilos.
The study also suggests that obese men who eat less lose more weight than those who take more exercise but do not eat less.