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Tackling obesity in men -- preliminary evaluation of men-only groups within a commercial slimming organization
1Nutrition Department, Slimming World, Somercotes, Alfreton, Derbyshire, UK.
Background:
Over Slimming World's 36-year history men have always made up a small percentage of the slimming organization's membership. Past company research suggested that men would feel more comfortable in men-only groups rather than mixed. In 2002, Slimming World set a target to raise the awareness among men about the dangers of being overweight and made practical weight-management solutions more accessible through a national network of men's groups.
Aim:
To evaluate men's weight loss within these 'men-only' groups.
Methods:
Data analysed included those men having attended a group for at least 8 weeks.
Results:
At the point of data collection average BMI had decreased from 35.9 to 32.5 kg m(-2). At least 5% weight loss was achieved in 90% of the sample. In those who had been members for 24 weeks 69% achieved a 10% weight loss. Shift working did not affect weight loss success.
Conclusion:
This data shows that overweight and obese men attending Slimming World are successful at losing weight in this environment and can achieve recommended health-related weight loss targets. There should be a move to get away from the mis-perception that slimming groups are only for women and raise awareness of the commercial option to men.
