Men struggle to lose weight because they think diets are for women, study finds

The next time your husband complains about piling on the pounds, don’t bother suggesting a diet.

That’s because men think diets are for women, according to a new study, which pinpointed reasons why some struggle to lose weight.

Researchers interviewed 24 men aged 30 and above about their experiences of weight loss programmes.

They discovered that men often think of dieting as feminine, and as a ‘negative word’ linked to restriction, sacrifice and significant willpower. 

Men are also less inclined to be drawn into ‘dieting culture’, with one participant saying: ‘When we go down to the pub, we’re not necessarily talking about our weight or appearance’.

Avoiding the word ‘diet’ in weight loss programmes could help encourage men to take part, the researchers suggest – as well as framing the initiative as a competition.

‘Specific to men, diets and dieting are typically perceived in a negative way, with lived experiences of expected effort and eventual failure,’ experts from Anglia Ruskin University wrote in the journal Plos One.

‘Men viewed dieting as a feminised space with most initiatives being considered “generalised” and “restrictive”.’

According to the NHS, around 70 per cent of men in the UK are classed as overweight or obese, compared with 62 per cent of women.

The study found that men tended to believe diets are a ‘short–term crash programme’ that is difficult to sustain.

Many associated diets with denying foods or a lifestyle they enjoy, potentially resulting in a ‘rebellious approach’ to weight loss initiatives.

One participant said: ‘As soon as you mention the word diet everybody automatically thinks restriction, restriction, restriction.’

Meanwhile another added: ‘When I’m looking at doing any kind of restrictions or dieting, a part of me kind of rebels against it.’

Men reported being most successful in weight loss programmes when their dietary changes had been orchestrated by their partners, or when they were supported by them.

‘My wife helps me a lot because she kicks me in the arse when I start to go for the doughnuts again’, one man said.

Another participant said his partner buys him apples rather than chocolate, adding: ‘That’s half the battle’.

The main motivations for losing weight were body image and aesthetics, the researchers found, with many alluding to feeling ashamed or hating photos of themselves.

Others cited health concerns, such as fear of a heart attack.

Emphasising competition, drama and aesthetic goals could help to entice men into weight–loss programmes, the scientists said.

‘Overall, the men perceived diets/dieting in a negative light, acknowledging the female–centric nature of dieting,’ the team wrote.

‘For sustainable lifestyle practices applicable to adult men, weight–loss initiatives should consider opportunistic simplicity coupled with quick–wins, early rewards and a tailored degree of social competitiveness around aesthetic gains.’

The researchers also suggested that initiatives aimed at couples could be particularly effective.

Participants also found having a ‘buddy’ or ‘mentor’ to be beneficial.

A previous study, carried out by the same university, found that middle–aged men see weight gain as an inevitable consequence of getting older.

A survey of men over the age of 35 found many blamed family and career responsibilities for piling on the pounds.

This, in turn, produced feelings of despondency and low self–worth but men felt a sense of resignation about their weight gain.

Comfort eating was blamed for much of the weight increase but interviews showed little awareness of other nutritional factors such as food types and portion sizes.

‘There is a tendency to forget how much our lifestyle, in particular family and employment, impact on weight gain,’ lead author Dr Mark Cortnage said.

‘This weight gain takes place over years and decades and as such, short–term dietary options fail to influence the deeper behavioural and lifestyle issues.’