Men 'Need Tailored Weight-Loss Programmes'

Although fewer men join weight-loss programmes than women, they are more likely to stick with them – particularly if they are tailored to their needs, say researchers.

More men in the UK are overweight or obese than women but they are less likely to see their weight as a problem.

However, obesity increases the risk of a number of serious diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and osteoarthritis.

Researchers at the universities of Aberdeen, Bournemouth and Stirling analysed data from around the world on weight-loss trials and studies that have included the views of men.

Their review of the evidence on obesity management is published by the National Institute of Health Research Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme.

The research team wanted to determine which programmes or services would be more appealing to overweight men and engage them in trying to lose weight.

Targeting weight-loss programmes to men

They found that the best results for men who achieved and maintained weight loss came from a combination of diet, physical activity and behaviour changes such as self-monitoring and setting themselves goals.

They highlighted several points, including these:

• Low-fat diets combined with exercise and following advice on behaviour changes is the best way for men to lose weight and can also help reduce the risk of serious diseases such as type-2 diabetes
• Obese men will lose more weight by eating less than by exercising on its own without dietary restriction
• There is no long-term evidence that any one particular calorie-reduction diet is better than another, though intermittent periods of very low calorie intake seemed to be more effective than regular steady dieting
• Compared with women, men preferred more factual-based information in business-like language on how to lose weight as well as more emphasis on physical activity programmes
• Group-based, men-only weight-management programmes showed benefit by providing moral support to men with similar health problems, with some individualised tailoring to their needs
• Obesity interventions in sports clubs – including football clubs – are very effective, with positive responses from men and a low dropout rate.

Tackling health problems

Researchers found that once middle-aged men realised they have a health problem that needs tackling – for example being told they are obese by a health professional – and are informed of the health benefits of losing weight, they are more likely to be motivated to shed the pounds.

Although some men were reluctant to join a group setting, the knock-on effect of having to account for their food choices to others seemed to help them stick to the programme.

That led the researchers to suggest that social settings, such as workplaces or sports clubs, may be better scenarios for weight-loss programmes geared towards men.

Based on their studies, the researchers are advocating men-specific weight-loss programmes.

Professor Alison Avenell of the University of Aberdeen has indicated that one of the main obstacles to men losing weight is that they see these programmes as being feminine activities. She says: "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 … our findings suggest that men should be offered the opportunity to attend weight loss programmes that are different to programmes which are mainly attended by women.”

Dr Flora Douglas, from the University of Aberdeen's Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, adds: "Men prefer more factual information on how to lose weight and more emphasis on physical activity in weight loss programmes.

“Interventions delivered in social settings were preferred to those delivered in health-care settings. Group-based programmes showed benefits by facilitating support for men with similar health problems, and some individual tailoring of advice helped men. "

Source:- http://www.webmd.boots.com/men/news/20140613/men-need-tailored-weight-loss-programmes