Why diets fail so many men and what they need instead

Ask any of the 42% of adults attempting to do so, but trying to shed extra weight can be a struggle.Although GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are becoming increasingly popular, lifestyle changes like diet are still recommended by doctors as one of the most important steps to take.However, men often have difficulty adapting to new eating patterns for two simple reasons.While dieting is often seen as something mainly women do, men attempt to lose weight through various diet methods, whether by eating fewer calories or consuming less fat.Whether traditional or a trend, diets are typically associated with eating less and being very strict in what you can and cannot eat — and it turns out men are strongly influenced by this belief.According to a study published in the journal PLOS One, men often fail at dieting because they find the programs too restrictive and primarily aimed at women.A shift in perspective could be the key to more success with diet changes in men, though.A UK-based research team surveyed 24 men over the age of 30 who were overweight and had either previously taken part in a weight-loss program or were planning to lose weight in the near future.The men associated dieting with denying themselves food they enjoy, and were reluctant to commit to something that they believed required significant sacrifices.“I think diet is a very negative word because as soon as you mention the word diet everybody automatically thinks restriction, restriction, restriction,” one study participant said.Another recurring theme of the study’s results is the strongly held belief that dieting is a female-focused activity.Participants believed that women dominate conversations around dieting, mainly through magazines and social media.However, many of the men felt uncomfortable and self-conscious engaging in these conversations themselves.Another participant said that dieting is “part of that conversation because now it’s social media pressure… wher...