Noticing the Difference in Weight Loss Rates
Have you noticed that when a couple starts a new diet plan or exercise regime, both partners lose weight at different rates, with the male partner often losing more than the female? Despite both of them putting in equal effort, it often seems that men have an advantage over women when it comes to weight loss. Men lose weight faster than women.
The Impact of Faster Male Weight Loss on Women
The fact that men lose weight more quickly and easily than women often discourages the latter from following any diet or exercise plan religiously.
Scientific Reasons Behind the Disparity
But there is a scientific reason behind this disparity in shedding pounds. Men and women are typically made differently, and those differences greatly impact weight loss rates. According to researchers, dietitians, and nutritionists, there are many biological reasons for men shedding weight quicker than women.
Metabolic Rate Differences
Firstly, women have a lower metabolic rate than men. The reason is physiological. Women hang on to their excess weight for a longer time because they have a lower basal metabolic rate than men. BMR is the number of calories your body needs to maintain basic physiological functions like breathing, circulation, and cell production. Males have more muscle mass (lean body mass) and less fat content than females, which helps burn more calories. Their bodies require more energy to function, resulting in a higher BMR.
Body Fat Composition
Secondly, in general, women have between 5% to 12% more body fat than their male counterparts. Right from puberty to menopause, women have more average body fat than men.
Hormonal Influences
Thirdly, there is a hormonal difference between the two. Hormones influence how our bodies store and burn fat. Men have higher levels of testosterone, which helps in maintaining and building muscle mass. Women, on the other hand, have higher levels of estrogen, which can encourage fat storage, particularly around the hips and thighs.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Additionally, women have more hormonal fluctuations than men. For example, a spike in ghrelin (hunger) hormones is more prominent in women. This hunger hormone rises very quickly after a workout in women, so they eat more. Comparatively, men do not experience this hormonal fluctuation.
Social and Psychological Factors
Lastly, social and psychological factors also contribute to this weight loss difference. Societal expectations and roles often encourage men to be more active, contributing to faster weight loss. Lifestyle and activities are dissimilar. Moreover, men are often more focused on results and are more likely to stick to a weight loss plan. Women might face more emotional and psychological challenges related to weight loss. Their approach to dieting and exercise is different from that of men in most cases.
