A research journal published in Molecular Metabolism has discovered that weight loss is more challenging for females than males. The research conducted in mice found that the brain cells, or neurons that are responsible to produce hormones that regulate body weight, differ in their performance in female mice than male mice, with female mice less likely to lose weight.
Brain wiring explains why weight loss is more challenging for women https://t.co/Gx9hvh4O9E pic.twitter.com/V9eC9LXm2c
— Medical News Today (@mnt) February 3, 2016
The research concludes that losing weight in females is difficult, despite the same amount of dieting and exercise as compared to males. Hormones that are responsible for regulating physical activities, energy expenditure and appetite work completely different in sexes, and females are the ones whose brains are not wired for weight loss.
The project was led by Professor Lora Heisler from the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health at the University of Aberdeen.
“The World Health Organisation reports higher rates of obesity in women worldwide, reaching twice the prevalence of men in some parts of the world,” the professor said.
“Currently there is no difference in how obesity is treated in men and women. However, what we have discovered is that the part of the brain that has a significant influence on how we use the calories that we eat is wired differently in males and females.
“Cells in this brain region make important brain hormones called pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) peptides that are responsible for regulating our appetite, physical activity, energy expenditure and body weight.
“What we have discovered is that not every POMC neuron performs the same function.
“While the subset targeted by obesity medication lorcaserin influences appetite in both males and female mice, in males, this subset has the added benefit of also modulating physical activity and energy expenditure.
“In female mice, this source of POMC peptides does not strongly modulate physical activity or energy expenditure.
“So, while medications targeting this source of POMC peptides may effectively reduce appetite in females, our evidence suggests that they will not tap into the signals in our brain that modulate physical activity and energy expenditure.”
Reports also suggest that 66 percent of men and 57 percent of women are overweight or obese. However, 64 percent of women and 74 percent of men are predicted to be overweight or obese by 2030, and it’ll be women who’ll face hard time in losing weight.
Weight gain has been found to be associated with several health related problems including heart disease, stroke, some cancers and diabetes, reports GymJunkies. Over £5 billion is spent in U.K. on obesity and diabetes, while the numbers are said to rise to £50 billion in the next 36 years.
Weight loss in middle age: A warning sign of dementia? #BehindTheHeadlines investigates: https://t.co/tXBVDb8HK9 pic.twitter.com/Qup5C3j9F1
— NHS Choices (@NHSChoices) February 3, 2016
Prof Heisler added that “more than half of people in the U.K. are overweight and one in four are clinically obese.”
“This is an enormous percentage of the population and given the links established between obesity and serious medical illnesses including cancer, heart disease and diabetes, it is essential that we strive to find new methods to tackle this epidemic to improve our health.”
She also focused on the fact that sex difference has direct relations with physical activity, body weight, and energy expenditure, and this is driven by POMC peptides. She also believes that the finding could be used to continue further research on medications that is used to combat obesity and weight loss, which at present has ignored sex difference in development.
A proper nutritious diet including foods like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, grapefruit, lettuce, radishes, and spinach, among others, are considered best to eat in order to lose weight, according to Health.com. Acidic liquids including Apple Cider Vinegar for weight loss have also been scientifically studied and practically experienced by people.
Higher rate of obesity in women can be linked to factors like financial income and access to healthy food options. Though the research is marked sexist in some way, the the news findings obtained from the research now offers a new approach to battle the obesity crisis.
[Image via Shutterstock]