Weight Control & Gender
Gender differences in weight control don't
end there. Fluctuating female hormones cause women to retain water weight,
he says, which makes weight loss slow to register on the scale.
Adding to gender discrepancy in weight
loss are social differences in how much men and women typically exercise.
Men are more physically active as a rule. At social gatherings, for example,
the men often play basketball or volleyball while the women visit in the
kitchen.
"As a generalization, there's no question
that in our society, women are less physically active than men,"
says Caroline Richardson, a doctor and research scientist in Ann Arbor,
who has studied such gender differences.
One reason for this, she says, is that
men are socialized to gravitate toward formal exercise and sports, while
women tend to rely more on "lifestyle" physical activities -
things such as housework, walks during lunch and playing with their children
- to burn calories.
For next page, click Weight
Control in Men & Women
Weight Loss & Weight Management
An increase in physical activity is an important part of your weight loss
program. Physical activity improves your muscle/fat ratio - thus raising
metabolism for easier weight loss - and boosts your motivation to maintain
the weight you lose.
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