While more than half of the male population of Britain are on a diet (55 per cent) more than a third (32 per cent) try to keep it a secret, according to new research.
On World Obesity Day there is a call for the shame surrounding male dieting to end.
The research, commissioned by The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan, claims that 33 per cent of British men believe there is a stigma attached to men being on a diet.
The survey of more than a thousand males revealed the top motivators for men to diet are:
- To improve their general health (35 per cent)
- To improve self-esteem and body confidence (30 per cent)
- To fit into their clothes better (20 per cent)
- To improve their wellbeing and quality of life (15 per cent)
Mark Gilbert, Nutritionist at The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan, said: “With 12 per cent of men being on a constant diet and 17 per cent saying they do not want to talk about it, it is clear that a shift in attitudes is required if the nation is to truly tackle male obesity.
“We all feel the need to lose weight at times, be that a few pounds or a few stone. Being able to do so openly and with the support of others is key to success. With so many British men classed as obese, it is my firm belief that diet should not be considered a dirty word.”
In the same study, 46 per cent of respondents said having the support of experts, family and friends enabled them to be much more successful in achieving their weight loss goals. Partners lead the way in terms of influence at 25 per cent, with medical professionals and weight-loss experts following closely behind at 15 per cent.
The four pitfalls many men fall foul of are beer, pizza, fish and chips and cake.
Celebrity dieters don’t influence British men with only four per cent say their endorsement resonated, whereas 40 per cent of respondents confirmed that the simplicity of a diet was the most important factor to them.
