Weight Loss Discussions Tougher for Men

Men are three times more likely than women to struggle in telling their partner they need to lose weight, research has suggested. Almost a third of men (31%) do not want to confront their partner about shedding pounds, compared with 10% of women who would not be happy to tell their man to slim down. But women are much more likely to find it difficult to tell a close friend to go on a diet (23%) compared with men (8%). The poll, supported by the National Obesity Forum, found 59% of people worried that a loved one with a large waistline would develop serious health problems. But 31% said the fear of hurting their feelings or provoking a bad reaction would prevent them from telling them they needed to lose weight.