Men are we destined to be fat at 40?

 

Middle-aged British men are more likely than women to be overweight, but less likely to diet, as they were less likely to realise they were carrying excess weight, say researchers at the University of London.
A study found more than two-thirds of men and around half of women in their early 40s were overweight or obese.

The findings come from a study following 10,000 UK men and women born during one week in 1970.

Researchers found that those born in 1970 were considerably more likely to be overweight or obese in their early 40s than those born 12 years earlier.

“Worryingly, this research highlights that men seem more inclined to ignore their expanding waistlines than women”

                    Christopher Allen - British Heart Foundation

Men were far more likely than women to carry excess weight - with 45% classed as overweight and a further 23% obese compared with 29% and 20% of women.

Dr Sullivan and colleague Dr Matt Brown say carrying excess weight is seen as more socially acceptable for men than women.

Overweight men are thus less likely to see this as a health problem and do something about it.

Alerting men to their body mass index (BMI) status and the associated health risks should be a priority, they say.

Expanding waistlines
Commenting on the study, Christopher Allen, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Being overweight or obese increases your risk of cardiovascular disease.

"Whether you're a man or a woman, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and keeping physically active can help you reduce your weight and your risk of cardiovascular disease.