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There has been some movement in terms of acceptance of all shapes and sizes for women, and a general support for women to make healthy changes to diet and lifestyle.
But while exercise and protein-packing is marketed to men, counting calories and dieting is generally seen as a girly domain – even though men are more likely to be obese. Weight loss is commonly defined as a feminine concern which some men find difficult to relate or react to,’ Rob Hobson, Healthspan head of nutrition, says.
‘In some cases, embarking on weight loss can be especially tricky when in the presence of male peers, which can create an environment that puts pressure on men to retain their ‘real’ male identity.
‘Living up to the cultural script of masculinity can impact on weight loss efforts and also influence decisions to seek help and advice, which may have a huge impact on long-term health as symptoms of disease take longer to be diagnosed.’
For men, even considering changing what they eat can be a stumbling block.
In Gary Barlow’s raw and honest autobiography A Better Me, he illustrates just how hard it can be for men to change their eating patterns. In response to ordering a salad, Gary was jeered ‘What? What’s wrong with him? Salad? Are you gay?’
In Gary Barlow’s raw and honest autobiography A Better Me, he illustrates just how hard it can be for men to change their eating patterns. In response to ordering a salad, Gary was jeered ‘What? What’s wrong with him? Salad? Are you gay?’
This lack of social support is a significant barrier to change. Countless research studies demonstrate the transformative benefits of encouragement from those around us, and conversely the detrimental effect of being surrounded by people who stigmatize health-promoting behaviors such as healthy eating.
It can be incredibly hard for me to admit that they want to lose weight and are usually only open about their struggles once they’ve shed the pounds.
This is because being overweight is also stigmatized – leaving men in an impossible catch-22 of wanting to shed pounds but not be perceived as ‘dieting’.In fact, the admiration from fiends and family is almost as good as seeing changes in body shape.
This is because being overweight is also stigmatized – leaving men in an impossible catch-22 of wanting to shed pounds but not be perceived as ‘dieting’.In fact, the admiration from fiends and family is almost as good as seeing changes in body shape.
However, after the event there is no structure in place to maintain healthy changes. Fed-up spouses again want so help at home (no benevolent excuse now), colleagues have moved onto another topic of conversations and to be honest, it’s all rather anticlimactic.
Then what happens? Old patterns of behavior kick right back in. A heavy sigh of relief is expressed as meetings once again include wine and a side of chips. Yet, there is a niggling feeling that the middle will start spreading again.
Then what happens? Old patterns of behavior kick right back in. A heavy sigh of relief is expressed as meetings once again include wine and a side of chips. Yet, there is a niggling feeling that the middle will start spreading again.
Why? Diets are marketed to women.
Even our ads for diets exclude men – for example the only men in the famous Diet Coke ads are picture perfect.
In fact, soft drink brands have invented new versions (Coke Zero, Pepsi Max) that purposefully exclude the word ‘diet’ from their names. Because diets are for girls. As we age, our metabolism slows so even with the same amount of physical activity, it can be nigh-on impossible to prevent the creeping waistline unless dietary changes are made.
Even our ads for diets exclude men – for example the only men in the famous Diet Coke ads are picture perfect.
In fact, soft drink brands have invented new versions (Coke Zero, Pepsi Max) that purposefully exclude the word ‘diet’ from their names. Because diets are for girls. As we age, our metabolism slows so even with the same amount of physical activity, it can be nigh-on impossible to prevent the creeping waistline unless dietary changes are made.
Combining diet, exercise and a good understanding of individual eating psychology is essential for maintaining a healthy weight long-term. Innovative approaches such as the SuperWellness Challenge harness both men and women’s competitiveness within a workplace and use this edge to catapult health and wellbeing.
The SuperWellness program combines nutritional education with the principles of coaching and behavioral psychology, so that even after the initial competition is finished, participants have the knowledge and confidence to keep going with their new healthy habits.