Anglia Ruskin University study finds gender perceptions impact men's dieting

A study published in PLOS One by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University suggests that men often struggle with weight loss because they perceive dieting as a feminine activity. Participants in the study, men aged 30 and older, expressed negative views toward the word ‘diet,’ associating it with extreme restriction and short-term ‘crash programs’ rather than long-term health.

The research highlights that diet culture is often viewed as a female-centric space, driven by media and social imagery focused on aesthetics. However, the study found that men are more likely to succeed when weight loss strategies include elements of competition and social interaction. Additionally, support from female partners was shown to significantly increase motivation and help men overcome initial hurdles.

In a separate clinical trial from Washington University in St. Louis, researchers compared the metabolic effects of different diets. While ketogenic, Mediterranean, and low-fat diets all resulted in similar weight loss, the ketogenic diet was notably more effective at reducing liver fat, showing a 67% reduction in participants.

Meanwhile, in Spain, the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) is reviewing nutritional recommendations for menopause. The review follows concerns that some evidence used for women was based on studies conducted exclusively on men, highlighting ongoing debates regarding sex bias in biomedical research.