Why do women have a harder time losing fat?
A woman and a man diet together. They are equally motivated and stick to caloric limits, but the man is more likely to lose unwanted pounds sooner.
Why is this happening? It’s a matter of genes, according to experts.
“We hear this all the time, and it can be frustrating for women. But unfortunately, it’s true: their genetic makeup makes weight loss a little more difficult,” says Cleveland Clinic associate endocrinologist Dr. Marcio Griebeler.
So, what factors play a role? Dr. Griebeler breaks down the basics.
Body composition and metabolism
Women typically have more body fat and less muscle than men. This affects the basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is how many calories the body burns at rest.
“Metabolic rate is determined, in part, by muscle mass, and most women naturally have less muscle and more fat than men ,” explains Dr. Griebeler.
This is based on nature’s design. It’s an evolutionary adaptation: Those extra pounds can come in handy during pregnancy.
It is also worth noting that body shape also matters. Men and women have different bone structures and tend to store fat in different parts of their bodies, with women’s fat storage usually being more spread out. This means that many women have to lose more weight to see the same change in their appearance.
Pregnancy and menopause
Women experience many different kinds of hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. In addition to puberty (which men and women experience differently), women also go through menopause. Many female hormones also fluctuate as a result of pregnancy.
When a woman becomes pregnant, she gains weight and body fat, which does not always go away when the pregnancy ends. It’s also harder for a new parent to find time for physical activity and sleep, two things that are critical to weight loss. But if you breastfeed your child, then you lose more calories, which will help with weight loss.
During menopause, women gain weight in their belly rather than their thighs and hips, due to loss of hormones and a slower metabolism. Muscle mass also decreases with age, making it even more difficult to maintain your pre-menopausal weight, let alone lose weight.
Hormonal imbalances
It is not uncommon for women to experience hormonal imbalances at different points in their lives. Some are temporary, but others, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can be a lifelong condition. According to Dr. Griebeler, 5–10% of women have PCOS. It is a condition characterized by a hormonal imbalance, which makes it more difficult to lose weight and causes menstrual disorders.
But PCOS is not the only condition that causes weight gain due to hormonal disturbances. Cushing’s syndrome, Hashimoto’s disease, and hypothyroidism are just a few examples of conditions that cause hormonal imbalance, which leads to weight gain. These conditions are much more common in women.