Weight Loss Myths Revealed

Myth: Men are better at dieting than women

Fact: "Men have greater amounts of lean body mass, including muscle, so they have a higher metabolism and burn more calories, even when they're resting," says Karen Miller-Kovach, M.S., R.D., author of She Loses, He Loses (John Wiley & Sons, 2007) and chief scientific officer of Weight Watchers International, Inc. "Men also tend to exercise more than women, which contributes to greater weight loss success." However, women often have other key advantages, including more nutrition knowledge and increased awareness of excess weight and emotional triggers for eating.

The bottom line: For the best results, pair up. "Research has shown that when men and women, especially couples, work together to shed pounds, they are more successful in terms of losing weight and keeping it off compared to going it alone," Miller-Kovach says. "The different ways men and women approach weight loss complement one other."

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