Is It Easier for Men to Lose Weight Than It Is For Women?
Interesting Gender-Related Info for Those Who Are Trying to Lose Weight
Have you ever wondered whether the old myth that it is easier for men to lose weight has any truth to it? If you’re curious whether or not it is in fact true that males lose weight easier than their female counterparts, you might find the following information interesting.
No One Said It’s Easy
If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you know that sometimes it can be a struggle. Out of all the female friends I have, most of them complain that it is easier for their husbands or boyfriends to lose weight than it is for them. At a first glance, it seems to be believable, but I couldn’t help wondering why.
They Have the Advantage
It turns out there is actually a scientific explanation for why males lose weight much more easily than females. As a rule, men tend to have more muscle mass than women. A “lean” female might still have 12% body fat with the exception of professional bodybuilders. Female bodies tend to cling to fat in anticipation for childbearing. Males overall have more muscle mass because, obviously, they don’t need fat stores for childbearing purposes. More muscle means that when the body is at rest it burns more calories. That, in essence, means that it is somewhat more effortlessly for men to lose weight than it is for females.
There is also another explanation that explains why males can lose weight more easily than females. The walls of human fat cells have hormone receptors. These hormone receptors are broken down into alpha-receptors and beta-receptors. Beta-receptors encourage your body to breakdown fat; alpha-receptors inhibit it. Males actually have more beta-receptors in the abdominal region, which is why it appears that an oversized midsection of a male shrinks more quickly when on a diet.
The basic concept behind losing weight is the same for both genders. Simply burn more calories than you consume. Regardless of gender, you should definitely be able to lose weight if you make it a priority to reduce your caloric intake and increase your energy exertion.