While diet culture has long been portrayed as a “women’s issue,” a new survey has revealed a growing trend of dieting among men, exposing alarming statistics about the pressure to conform to body ideals and the consequences of following unproven weight-loss methods.
New research, conducted by Asda Online Doctor, sheds light on how deeply societal influences and family dynamics are affecting men’s approach to dieting, with some even resorting to dangerous practices in pursuit of quick results.
Findings reveal that an increasing number of men are engaging in dieting, with alarming statistics showing how deep the pressure to conform to societal weight standards is impacting their mental and physical health.
The study highlights that 94 percent of British men have tried dieting, with 15 percent starting before turning 18. Shockingly, 68 percent of men have attempted more than three diets, and one in 20 men admit to trying the dangerous tapeworm diet, where they swallow tapeworm eggs in a bid to lose weight.
The research also exposes the serious health consequences men face when following fad diets. A troubling 11 percent report that dieting has caused fatigue and hair loss, revealing the damaging impact of unproven methods.
Despite these risks, 31 percent of men say they would still consider trying a weight loss method, even if it hadn’t been scientifically proven to work, as long as it promised quick results.
The study also finds that over 30 percent of men prefer to manage weight loss independently without professional help, which leaves room for dangerous diets to take the place of safer, medically supported options.
Social media is a major influence on men’s dieting choices, with 22 percent discovering diets through these platforms.
The keto diet remains the most popular among men, with 27 percent having tried it, while the carnivore diet, popular on social media, has attracted 19 percent of men compared to just nine percent of women.
Men report feeling the most pressure from their families to lose weight (23 percent), followed by social media (20 percent) and friends (18 percent).
They are also more likely than women to experience pressure from their partners to lose weight, with 15 percent of men saying their partner has urged them to slim down, compared to eight percent of women.
The average age men start dieting is just under 30 years old, though 18 remains the most common age when they report trying their first diet. The research also indicates that men are spending nearly the same amount on weight-loss treatments as women, with an average of £167.63 spent by men, compared to £167.18 by women.
Dr. Kathryn Basford, clinical lead at Asda Online Doctor, commented on the findings, saying: “While fad diets often promise quick results, they typically lack the rigorous support and scientific basis of medical treatments.
“Our research shows that 67 percent of patients would consider medically proven weight-loss treatments, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.
“By turning to scientifically supported solutions, patients can follow a safer, more effective path to weight loss, steering clear of the harmful effects linked to fad dieting.”
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