This research was carried out by Healthwatch Essex and the University of Essex. It was published in 2021.
About the research
The study explored how men experience living with obesity and how they feel about trying to lose weight.
Researchers spoke to 29 men living with obesity. The men shared their experiences of managing their weight, taking part in weight loss programmes and dealing with the challenges of weight gain and weight loss.
What the research found
The study found that support from other people can make a big difference. Men were more likely to stay engaged with weight loss programmes when they felt supported by others who were going through similar experiences.
Many men said their weight changed during different stages of life. Becoming a parent, progressing in a career and dealing with major life events often made it harder to maintain a healthy weight.
Some men found that taking part in commercial weight loss programmes helped them lose weight in the short term, but many struggled to keep the weight off. Weight regain often had a negative impact on confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing.
The research also found that some men felt judged because of their weight. These experiences could affect their mental health and make it harder to focus on losing weight.
Many participants said they wanted support that felt personal, practical and understanding rather than programmes that focused only on diet, exercise and behaviour change.
What this means for services
The research suggests that weight management services could be improved by:
- offering more peer support and opportunities for people to support each other
- providing practical activities linked to healthy eating and physical activity
- recognising that life events and responsibilities can affect a person’s weight
- considering the impact of stigma, confidence and mental wellbeing
- providing support that is tailored to individual needs and experiences
- helping people manage setbacks and weight regain in a positive and supportive way
The findings show that successful weight management is about more than diet and exercise alone. Support for mental wellbeing, confidence and life circumstances is also important.
Read the full report
You can read the full research report for more information about the study, findings and recommendations by visiting the Healthwatch Essex website.
Healthwatch Essex Reports