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Do Men Lose Weight More Easily Than Women?

There are plenty of rumors about supposed differences between men and women. But -- much to the chagrin of many women trying to lose weight -- it is true that, on average, men tend to lose weight more quickly than women. This doesn't mean that any single man will lose weight faster than any single woman, but taken as a group, men are more likely to lose weight than women.

  1. Body Composition

    • Women naturally have more body fat than men, particularly in the hips and thighs. Fat burns fewer calories and, because fat plays an important role in fertility, women may struggle to get rid of it. After pregnancy and during menopause, women are particularly likely to gain fat, although both sexes tend to accumulate more fat as they age.

    Size

    • Men tend to be both larger and more muscular than women. Because calories provide energy for a wide variety of bodily functions, larger people need more calories to support their weight, even if they're not exercising. This means that if a man and a woman eat the same diet, the man could lose weight while the woman's weight remains the same or even increases. When men and women exercise, men tend to burn more calories doing the same routine, assuming they weigh more. For example, Harvard Health Publications reports that a 125-pound person will burn about 90 calories in 30 minutes of weightlifting, while a 185-pound person will burn around 133 calories.

    Hormones

    • Both men and women have testosterone and estrogen, and the amounts circulating in the body at any given time vary depending upon a wide variety of circumstances. Men, however, generally have larger quantities of testosterone, which plays an important role in muscle development and fat burning. Women, by contrast, tend to have higher estrogen, which helps them store fat in preparation for pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.

    Individual Differences

    • Sex is not the sole -- or even the most important -- factor determining weight loss, and some women are more muscular and leaner than some men. A woman who trains and exercises regularly will likely lose weight faster than a sedentary man, and both sexes can lose and gain weight. To lose a pound of fat, you'll need to burn 3,500 calories, and a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise can help you achieve these fitness goals.

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