On Healthy Living

It turns out the news is worse if you’re obese and a man. Obesity is a problem for millions of Americans, but new study shows that women who are obese have things a little easier than their overweight male counterparts.

Women performed better in physical fitness tests and seemed to process carbohydrates better than equally overweight men, according to the study, which originated in the Netherlands (check here for more details).

The study of 22 mena nd 34 women found men had less stamina and were more sensitive to carbs, which puts them at a higher risk for diabetes.

All those studied had a body mass index of 40 or above. A healthy BMIis bewteen 20 and 25, while above 30 is considered obese. Scientists thought some of the difference in how the men and women performed could have to do with the way fat is distributed differently on men’s and women’s bodies.

Whatever your gender, if you are obese, you probably don’t need me to tell you that you need to lose weight. But particularly if you’re a man, this study makes it even clearer that you must do all you can to reduce your weight or risk even more serious health problems in the future.

I won’t pretend to know how you do that, but I do know the only diet that works is one that has you eating less and moving more, with less sugar, refined or processed foods and more fruit, vegetables and whole grains. It’s hard, but absolutely necessary for your long-term health and quality of life.

Sarah White wrote this on July 13th, 2005 and filed it under Healthy Living, Diet & Exercise, Healthy Eating, Women's Health |