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Benefits of Weight Loss for Men
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Benefits of Weight Loss for Men

Benefits of Weight Loss for Men

Obesity is an increasing problem for men of all ages in America. According to a recent study it is estimated that nearly one-third of adult males are overweight.1  Men tend to gain weight around the ‘belly’ and this puts them at greater risk than women for heart conditions.2 Too much fat — especially around the waist — increases risk for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.3 If you’re an overweight male, the good news is that it’s never too late to start losing weight to positively impact your health.

How Weight Loss Improves Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and being overweight places you at increased risk. Obesity, caused by taking in more calories than are used up in physical activity and activities of daily life, can cause blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels to rise, raising the risk of heart disease.3

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, affecting 90-95% of those who have diabetes. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes and many may have insulin resistance, but not know it. A person’s weight is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes; almost 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.4

Losing weight can help to improve diabetes management and improve heart health by lowering blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure.5 The resulting improvements to blood sugar levels may also help to reduce the risk of diabetes complications.  A recent clinical trial showed how losing 5-10% of body weight helped improve blood glucose and lower blood pressure levels in those with type 2 diabetes.6 This means that even making small changes towards being more active and losing weight can produce big benefits for diabetes and heart health.

Lifestyle changes may also improve your love life. Obesity can impede blood flow to the organs, and this can contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED). It is estimated that four out of five men with ED are overweight - and the more overweight, the greater the risk. ED can be a side effect from the medications prescribed for a heart condition such as diuretics or antihypertensives. Recent research showed that weight loss in obese men with ED resulted in significant improvements in sexual function.7 In other words losing weight can result in better health for you and for your relationships.

Do You Know if you’re Overweight?
The easiest way to know if you’re at risk of weight-related problems is to measure your Body Mass Index (BMI).  This is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. According to the CDC, adults with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight, while adults with a BMI of 30 or above are considered obese. To get your BMI plus personalized weight loss recommendations take Jenny Craig’s YourStyle® Profile,.

Men and Weight Loss
If you have a spare tire, don’t despair. With patience and a plan you can reap the health benefits of weight loss. Whether you’re trying to reduce your waistline or decrease the fat from another area, the basics of weight loss remain the same:

  • Follow a nutritious, reduced-calorie menu to allow for 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week
  • Aim for 30 minutes of activity on most days of the week, either in one block of time or in 10 minute spurts
  • Receive the support that works best for you, either from friends and family, through weekly meetings with your consultant or online.  

If you’re ready to take charge of your health and happiness and shed those extra pounds, Jenny Craig can help.

  1. The Journal of the American Medical Association.  JAMA. 2010;303(3):235-241. Published online January 13, 2010 (doi:10.1001/jama.2009.2014).  Available at: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/2009.2014.  Accessed February 28, 2010.
  2. Weight Control Information Network: Understanding Adult Obesity. Available at: http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/understanding.htm#distribution Accessed on August 24, 2010
  3. The American Heart Association: Obesity Information. Available at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/WeightManagement/Obesity/Obesity-Information_UCM_307908_Article.jsp Accessed on August 26, 2010
  4. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Publications and Products: 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/estimates07.htm Accessed August 26, 2010.
  5.  The Look AHEAD Research Group. Reduction in weight and cardiovascular disease risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diab Care. 2007;30:1374-1383.
  6. Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med. 2002;346:393-403.
  7. Esposito K, Giugliano F, Di Palo C, Giugliano G, et al. Effect of Lifestyle Changes on Erectile Dysfunction in Obese Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial JAMA. 2004;291(24):2978-2984. 0, 2004ol