Research suggests obesity affects men more than women
JOHANNESBURG – Some research suggests that obesity is nearly three times more deadly for men than for women.
Obesity comes with a lot of issues that can affect someone’s health – one can be at risk of having a heart attack, stroke, hypertension, gallstones, cancer, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, fatty liver and depression to name a few.
Obesity affects both men and women, however, a study published in The Lancet by Elsevier Ltd shows that of the nearly 4 million men and women surveyed globally, the results of which were released in 2016, the risk of dying before the age of 70 was 19 per cent for men and 11 per cent for women of normal weight. These risks jumped to 30 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, for obese men and women. According to the same study, men are more at risk of dying before the age of 70. Although this study was not able to identify why the risk is greater for men, in previous studies researchers believed that part of the reason for this could be because obese men have greater insulin resistance, higher liver fat levels and are at a greater risk of developing diabetes compared to obese women.
The global prevalence of obesity, which is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 303, has nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016. Currently, obesity is estimated to affect 11 per cent of men and 1 per cent of women globally, which translates to 600 million obese adults around the world.
Dr Gary Hudson, a Johannesburg-based physician with a special interest in obesity and metabolic disorders, who has just completed research into male obesity, estimates that up to 7 per cent of men in South Africa are overweight, and alarmingly 20 per cent are obese. Obesity in men seems to also affect the white population the most. Dr Hudson sited weight training and bulking from a young age for contact sports as one of the reasons for this, along with high levels of steroid use and abuse as playing a role in the development of obesity in later years.
Dr Hudson’s research has found that while men tend to be active until the age of 20, exercise seems to start tapering off after that. By 40 years of age, only 30 per cent remain active and very few do cardiovascular training, with most rather concentrating on weight training.
According to him, men’s portions are simply too big. Men also tend to have higher fat and protein meals and consume more alcohol and soft drinks than women.
Interestingly, he said, males who are obese have low hormones whilst females have high hormones. In men, obesity lowers testosterone levels. Additionally, in terms of male sexuality, men who are obese have an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. Obesity may also impair fertility. Global research has also linked extra body fat with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
Furthermore, Dr Hudson said that men who are obese have much more disturbed sleep like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, and have a much higher risk for pure abdominal obesity. He added that in men, fat is very visceral, with very little being subcutaneous (situated or applied under the skin) fat.
There is good news though. A host of scientific studies have shown that many obesity-related conditions improve with as little as a 5 to 10 per cent weight-loss, including improvements on cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and inflammation.
Dr Hudson said that while appetite suppressant medication plays a smaller role in men trying to lose weight than in women, there are certain medication and options for men that can aid their attempts to lose weight. He added that, in his experience, men seem to do better on keto or intermittent fasting diets but should be careful to avoid high protein diets as these can play havoc with blood pressure and uric acid levels.
The World Health Organisation recommended that to lose weight, people should limit energy intake from total fats and sugars; increase consumption of fruit and vegetables, as well as legumes, whole grains, and nuts; and engage in regular physical activity (150 minutes spread through the week for adults).
Speak to your doctor about weight loss management options that might be best for you.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/182635/healthy-friday-vitamin-d-play-significant-role-weight-loss/
