WEIGHT CONTROL: Which Sex's Perception Is Right?

AuthorBROWN, BETH
PositionCalorie Control Council survey results - Statistical Data Included

YOU PROBABLY HAVE HEARD the statement that men are from Mars and women are from Venus when it comes to relationships. Well, the same is true with dieting. A national survey conducted for the Calorie Control Council found differences between women and men in terms of why they diet, use low-calorie and reduced-fat foods, and can't lose those unwanted pounds. The Council takes a biannual look at American eating and weight control habits and has tracked dieting trends for more than 20 years.

The survey revealed that women blame themselves for not being able to lose weight, while men are more likely to give external excuses. Forty-one percent of women attribute their weight loss failures to a lack of self-discipline, compared with 30% of men. Women (36%) are more than twice as likely to say they "often eat for emotional reasons such as boredom, stress, or lack of family support" as men (16%) do. Men are more likely to indicate they don't eat properly at restaurants or often overeat at mealtimes.

The survey also revealed that physical appearance is a top contender among females as a reason for using low-calorie and reduced-fat (or "light") products, but males ranked this reason much lower. Nearly half of all women give "maintaining physical appearance" as a reason to use these products, while one-third of men cite it. More women than men indicate "feeling better about the way I look" as a reason for using light products.

Women are bombarded by the message that "thin is in"--with supermodels and actresses sporting a sleek, thin size. It is difficult to find a woman's magazine that doesn't contain an article about how to lose weight or "firm up flab." Some women do not feel attractive unless they meet society's standard of being thin. For many, a desire to lose weight is fueled by physical appearance and trying to attain the body of a supermodel, rather than the importance of achieving overall better health.

John Foreyt, director of the Nutrition Research Clinic and a professor in the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, maintains that "Using appearance and dress size as a long-term motivation for weight loss is not a good idea, and may lead to feelings of guilt and frustration." This frustration is evident by the number of women citing "lack of self-discipline" as a reason for their weight-loss failure. Foryet argues, "Instead, to increase the likelihood of weight-loss success, the emphasis should be on improving health and...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT