Is Weight Loss Different for Men? (part 2)

Is Weight Loss Different for Men? (part 2)

Another difference he notes is that women sometimes tend to be better than men at describing exactly what they did to lose weight. "We try to get men to articulate what they did so they can repeat it," he says.

But online support groups -- especially those aimed specifically at men -- may help to make the process more guy-friendly.

Zelman says that male members of the Weight Loss Clinic wanted a resource just for them, prompting the clinic to launch its Dieting for Men: Support Group message board. "I think they're at least open to the fact that if support and chat help women, why wouldn't they help us?"



A Subject Not to Be Taken Lightly

There's no doubt that women face more social pressure to look slim and attractive. But even men who are happy with their cuddly-bear physiques should take a serious look at the risks of carrying around too much weight.

"While being overweight brings health risks for both men and women, some fat 

cells are deadlier than others."

While being overweight brings health risks for both men and women, some fat cells are deadlier than others. Men are much more likely than women to carry excess fat in the trunk and abdomen. And abdominal fat cells release a high level of free fatty acids -- which hurts the liver's ability to break down insulin, a factor in diabetes, and stimulates the liver to produce triglycerides, which increase the risk of heart disease. Abdominal fat cells also contain an enzyme that activates cortisone, which is linked to hypertension and diabetes.

To assess your risk, compute your waist-to-hip ratio, says The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men's Health. Relax your abdomen, and measure the narrowest part of your waist. Then measure the widest part of your hips. Divide the waist measurement by the hip measurement to find your ratio.

The Health Professionals Study showed that men with a ratio above 1.0 had twice the death rate of those below 0.85. Men with ratios above 0.98 were 2.3 times more likely to suffer a stroke as men with ratios below 0.89.

A simpler measure of risk is waist circumference alone. A waist size of 40 inches or more increases health risks, and one of 46 inches or more increases those risks substantially.

Strategies for Success

You know the drill. Eat less. Exercise more. But you don't have to go it alone.

Take advantage of the "Dieting for Men" message board and other resources available through the Weight Loss Clinic. "There's a wealth of educational and nutrition information, and you can get support anonymously," says Zelman. "The program is designed to meet your individual preferences, and we'll take the foods you like and show you how to make them healthier."

Foster advises reframing your thoughts about dieting. "It's not a feminine thing. It's something people do who take themselves seriously."

So if you're eating out with the guys, and they rib you for requesting salad dressing on the side, what should you do?

"One way is with a 'take-charge' mentality," Foster says. "Say, 'I'm paying for this. I'm not going to let a chef determine what I should eat.'" While you're at it, Foster says, take leftovers home instead of scarfing down everything in sight. "It might seem wimpy, but it's actually smart and it saves money."

The experts agree that focusing on health, rather than vanity, is the best way to approach dieting. "The health perspective is acceptable for men," says Magee, author of the series of Tell Me What To Eat books. "They can say, 'I'm watching what I eat because I'm trying to get my blood pressure or cholesterol down.'" More advice from the experts:

• Get your metabolism going: Eat breakfast. Lift weights. 
• Don't sit around the table shooting the breeze (and having an extra beer, and eating the rest of what's on your plate). Push away from the table when you're full. 
• When you reach for that bag of chips, stop and do a reality check. Don't eat if you're not hungry. 
• Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise is good for reducing abdominal fat. 
• Make smart fast-food choices. Eat a salad, easy on the dressing. Choose grilled chicken or a small, plain burger instead of a Whopper or Quarter Pounder. 
• Cook at home, where you can control the amount and type of fat and other nutrients. That's what the Food Network is for. Notice all the men cooking. 
• Be faithful about journaling your meals. Keeping a food journal is one strategy used by "successful losers," 3,000 people in the National Weight Control Registry who've kept off an average of 66 pounds for 5.5 years. 
• Remember, there will be rewards even if you reduce your weight by just 10%: You'll lower health risks, enjoy shooting hoops with the kids, improve your performance in the bedroom, look better, and have more energy. 
• Don't wait until you've been diagnosed with diabetes or have a heart attack to take action.