Obesity is a common condition among both men and women. However, women have a higher obesity rate of 11.5% than men, with a 6.9% obesity prevalence in the United States. Weight loss mainly depends on your diet and physical activity level, but age, genetics, and metabolism determine the pace of your weight loss journey. Gender is another factor that influences your rate of weight loss, which leads us to our primary question: Do men lose weight faster than women? According to a study published online in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, men tend to lose weight faster than women. The revelation may seem unfair, but there is a lot of science behind it. Let’s learn more about this harsh reality.
The Difference Between Weight Loss Rates in Men and Women
In comparison to men, women find it harder to budge pounds. When competing with a man in weight loss, he will definitely lose more weight than you. More than 2,000 adults from Europe, Australia, and New Zealand participated in a research to test this rumor. The participants had prediabetes, meaning a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to slightly elevated blood sugar levels. Each adult followed a low-calorie diet of 800 calories, which consisted of mostly soups, shakes, and light vegetables for eight weeks. The results showed a 16 percent difference in the weight loss rates of men and women. The male participants lost an average of 26 pounds, while the females lost about 22 pounds. The liquid diet with low-calorie vegetables, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, offered an additional benefit. In addition to weight loss, 35 percent of the adults had normal blood sugar levels and fell out of the prediabetic condition. However, men had larger benefits in terms of better health, as well. They had lower heart rates and less body fat, along with a decreased risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The study had a negative impact on women, as they lost more high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. It is considered ‘good’ cholesterol and is helpful for heart health. Due to a larger reduction in bone mineral density, women experienced their bones weakening. As for weight loss, they lost lean body mass that contributes to weight loss through your metabolism. Overall, the diet was proven to be more advantageous for men.
Why Did Men Lose More Weight?
Men and women have different genetics, which is the main reason for the gender-specific difference in weight loss. Certain parts and functions of the body can favor weight loss, and men are lucky to have them.
Muscle Mass
Men often have 36% more muscle mass than women. Muscle mass is a major determining factor in your metabolic rate, which is the number of calories your body burns at rest. It is well-known that men have a faster metabolism than women, thanks to their larger muscle mass. Since they have a higher metabolism, men regularly consume more calories than women. Therefore, their calorie deficit is larger and causes faster weight loss.
Fat Storage
Men carry fat in their midsection, known as visceral fat. As they lose weight around their midsection, men gain a higher metabolic rate due to a loss of visceral fat. On the other hand, women carry fat, called subcutaneous fat, in their hips, thighs, and rear. They see an immediate deduction in these parts, which may seem unfortunate. Subcutaneous fat isn’t metabolically active, so their metabolic rate either reduces or remains the same. Women also carry 6 to 11 percent more body fat as compared to men.
Water Weight
In the initial days of weight loss, your body sheds pounds in the form of water weight. When you follow a calorie deficit, your body runs on energy from Glycogen – a storage form of carbohydrates. Water and glycogen are stored together, so your body utilizes both of them together. The first few pounds lost are stored water, and men tend to lose more water weight.
Why Did Women Lose Less Weight Than Men?
Due to women’s hormonal features, women need fat inside their bodies. Subcutaneous fat can be beneficial during pregnancy. In both puberty and menopause, women maintain more body fat than men. However, they begin storing fat in their midsection after menopause, leading to a faster metabolism. Women react to food differently and are more likely to crave unhealthy food. Some women prefer using supplements to burn stored fat to deal with such drawbacks. Before using a supplement, it is necessary to read a comprehensive view on the positives and negatives of weight loss supplements.
Conclusion
Whether you’re losing weight slowly or quickly, weight loss is always a good idea. Obesity is linked to serious health diseases or worsens, them. Exercise, particularly weight exercises, can diminish the effects of calorie restriction in women. Choosing an ideal diet for your body and lifestyle is the key to weight loss, which is why experts have compiled the best diets for weight loss on www.healthcanal.com. Weight loss isn’t a competition, so you don’t have to compete with men. But remember, slow and steady wins the race!
