While the fundamental principles of weight loss are the same for both genders - expending more calories than are taken in - the elements that lead to the creation of the caloric deficit that invokes weight loss are not. Indeed, men and women are different; they are biologically different and emotionally different. Because both biology and psychology are integral to successful weight loss, these differences are extremely important.
The physical variations between the genders require little explanation. The body composition - that is, the proportions of muscle, bone, and fat that make up the male and female bodies - of men and women are quite different. A typical man who weighs 154 pounds has 69 pounds of muscle, 23 pounds of bone, and 23 pounds of fat (the rest is organs, body fluids, and the like).
A typical woman who weighs 125 pounds has 45 pounds of muscle, 15 pounds of bone, and 34 pounds of fat. In summary, men are genetically programmed to have more lean muscle mass and heavier bones than women. Conversely, women's bodies are designed to have a higher fat content.
Technically, the definitions of overweight and obesity are based on the presence of excess body fat (though Body Mass Index or BMI is used to categorize people's weight status). Here, too, the genders differ. Overweight in men is defined as between 21 and 25 percent body fat and obesity is defined as greater than 25 percent. Overweight in women is defined as between 31 and 33 percent body fat and obesity is defined as greater than 33 percent. Because biologically men are supposed to have less fat and women more fat, even men and women of the same height and weight should have very different body compositions.
Given the physical differences between the genders when it comes to body composition, it's not surprising that body fat recommendations for men and women are different as well. The recommendation for men ranges from 12 to 20 percent and that for women ranges from 20 to 30 percent.
Men and women are not only different physically; their psychological makeup is distinct as well. The emotional differences between men and women are an area of great interest.
Psychologists are not the only ones interested in how the mental processes of women and men differ; a great deal of work is going on in the world of basic science as well. Each year, more and more is being learned about the links between mental processes and physical functions, especially as they relate to neurotransmitters. A paper published in 2006 even theorized that the reason men smile less often than women can be accounted for by the way their respective brains are wired. It is well established that our behaviors in the realms of eating and physical activity are influenced by chemical signals in the brain.
And while not much is known about those signals at this point, it is likely that there are gender differences there as well. As more is learned about how the brain affects mental well-being as it relates to excess weight as well as the likely impact of gender differences, relevant treatment options are sure to evolve. The mental aspects of weight and weight loss cannot be over-emphasized. The basic physiology of weight loss is relatively simple - in order to lose weight, fewer calories must be taken in than expended. But it is the behaviors - eating, exercise, and thinking - that are at the heart of achieving lasting weight loss.
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Weight Loss Article FeedFind More ArticlesSearchRecent ArticlesThe Best Weight Loss Plan - Eliminating Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates From Your DietThe Ultimate Nutritional Diet Plan to Lose WeightHow to Lose Weight in a Healthy and All-Natural WayLifestyle Fitness Coaching - How to Get Past the Hurdle and Jump Start Your Weight Loss3 Reasons Lifting Weights Works Better Than Cardio for Fat Loss - Especially For Women!Burn Belly Fat and Other Tricks to Look More AttractiveGet Your Figure Back With These Weight Loss TipsReach a Healthy Weight by Eliminating Your Challenges One by OneLose Weight Quickly With These 5 Great IdeasYour Weight Increases Your Blood PressureSubmitted On January 21, 2012. Viewed 13 times. Word count: 586.Important Disclaimer: Articles provided are for general information purposes only and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychological, tax, accounting, legal, investment, or any other professional advice. EzineArticles.com expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed by any of our members or anywhere else within the site. Lastly, EzineArticles.com does not endorse any article. Use at your own risk.
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