Internet support boosts men's weight loss

2 mins to read

More than two thirds of Australian men are overweight. Online weight loss coach Andrew Cate shows how the internet may emerge as a convenient and effective solution.

Mens health

Why healthy weight management is so important for men
It's estimated that 68% of men are overweight, and the prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate. Excess body fat is a major cause of illness in Australia and it is associated with a range of negative physiological and psychological issues. Overweight men have a greater proportion of fat stored in the abdominal area compared to women, which further increases their health risks. More specifically, men are at a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome, a cluster of health problems associated with excess body fat. Consequently, men can derive great benefits from maintaining a healthy weight .

However, men are less likely to perceive themselves as overweight, to attempt weight loss, or participate in a weight loss program. There is an urgent need to develop novel approaches to weight management that attract and engage men. Men prefer programs that are convenient, as they are less likely to attend structured face-to-face programs. Research has begun to highlight the role that internet based programs and services can play in helping men to reach and maintain a healthy weight.

The research
A study published in the online journal BMC Public Health reported on an internet-based weight loss program titled Self-Help, Exercise, Diet and Information Technology (SHED-IT). Sixty-five overweight men were recruited and randomly assigned to either an internet group or an information-only group for a pilot study. Internet group participants were instructed to use the online weight loss program for three months. The online program and additional resources were specifically tailored for men.

The objective was to help men reduce their energy intake and increase energy expenditure using examples and scenarios that men could relate to and commonly experience. During a 12 month follow-up, subjects in the internet group lost an average of 5.3 kilograms, while the information only group lost 3.1 kilograms. Both programs proved to be effective, however participants who used the online program lost more weight, and maintained significantly greater weight loss.

Internet programs for weight control
Fortunately, internet based programs to support weight management are becoming widely available. Some of the advantages for men of using an online weight management program include:

24 hours access, allowing convenient usage and compatibility with busy schedules.
A weight loss treatment that provides anonymity, reducing the burden some men feel with group sessions and clinic visits.
Scientific evidence to suggest that weight loss programs can be effectively delivered over the Internet.
Internet based programs are inexpensive, and can easily reach a wide audience.
Helps men learn the skills to help themselves
In Australia, men are more likely to use the Internet than women

Men in the SHED-IT study had access to online features such as food dairies, activity journals to record step counts, weekly website weigh-ins, email access to experts, and calorie counters. Participants also received information by email throughout the program, and were prompted by email if they had not checked-in for 2 weeks. According to the researchers, men should seek out online programs that allow them to self-monitor any changes in weight, and that measure energy intake and daily activity levels. These three key components were identified as cornerstones of success using online weight management programs.

References available on request