Post by Rob W. Case on Oct 18, 2005 16:23:27 GMT -6
This is an interesting article from the Chicago Sun Times
Obese enjoy sex after dropping pounds
October 18, 2005
BY JIM RITTER Health Reporter
www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-sex18.html
Here's another reason to lose weight: It might improve your sex life.
A study of 187 extremely obese adults found dramatic improvements in all six items on a sexual quality-of-life questionnaire.
For example, the proportion of women who did not feel sexually attractive fell from 68 percent before they began a weight loss program to 26 percent a year later.
There were similar decreases in the percentages of women who didn't want to be seen undressed, had little sexual desire, avoided sexual encounters, had difficulty with sexual performance or didn't enjoy sex.
Among men, sex improved in four of the six categories, but the improvements were less dramatic.
"There are a lot more appearance-related pressures on women," said lead researcher Martin Binks of the Duke Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, N.C.
The study was released Monday at a meeting of the Obesity Society in Vancouver, Canada.
While the results aren't a surprise, the study nevertheless is valuable, said clinical health psychologist Lyssa Menard of Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Wellness Center. "Sometimes we forget to study the obvious."
Every little bit helps
An earlier study found that 65 percent of obese people seeking treatment at the Duke center had impaired sex lives, compared to 5 percent of normal weight people.
In the new study, the 161 women and 26 men had an average body mass index of 40.7, or roughly 100 pounds overweight.
Participants lost an average of 17.5 percent of their body weight after one year. That translates to, for example, a 240-pound woman losing 42 pounds or a 280-pound man losing 49 pounds.
Although participants on average still were obese after losing weight, their sex lives improved significantly.
"I would have expected that it would have required a larger weight loss for people to be able to experience these improvements," Binks said.
Society's pressure to be thin isn't the only thing that makes sex difficult for obese people. Obesity also can alter testosterone levels in men and increase their risk of impotence. Too much weight can contribute to back pain and depression, which in turn can reduce sex drive. And extremely obese men and women can have difficulty positioning themselves for sexual intercourse.
Obese enjoy sex after dropping pounds
October 18, 2005
BY JIM RITTER Health Reporter
www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-sex18.html
Here's another reason to lose weight: It might improve your sex life.
A study of 187 extremely obese adults found dramatic improvements in all six items on a sexual quality-of-life questionnaire.
For example, the proportion of women who did not feel sexually attractive fell from 68 percent before they began a weight loss program to 26 percent a year later.
There were similar decreases in the percentages of women who didn't want to be seen undressed, had little sexual desire, avoided sexual encounters, had difficulty with sexual performance or didn't enjoy sex.
Among men, sex improved in four of the six categories, but the improvements were less dramatic.
"There are a lot more appearance-related pressures on women," said lead researcher Martin Binks of the Duke Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, N.C.
The study was released Monday at a meeting of the Obesity Society in Vancouver, Canada.
While the results aren't a surprise, the study nevertheless is valuable, said clinical health psychologist Lyssa Menard of Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Wellness Center. "Sometimes we forget to study the obvious."
Every little bit helps
An earlier study found that 65 percent of obese people seeking treatment at the Duke center had impaired sex lives, compared to 5 percent of normal weight people.
In the new study, the 161 women and 26 men had an average body mass index of 40.7, or roughly 100 pounds overweight.
Participants lost an average of 17.5 percent of their body weight after one year. That translates to, for example, a 240-pound woman losing 42 pounds or a 280-pound man losing 49 pounds.
Although participants on average still were obese after losing weight, their sex lives improved significantly.
"I would have expected that it would have required a larger weight loss for people to be able to experience these improvements," Binks said.
Society's pressure to be thin isn't the only thing that makes sex difficult for obese people. Obesity also can alter testosterone levels in men and increase their risk of impotence. Too much weight can contribute to back pain and depression, which in turn can reduce sex drive. And extremely obese men and women can have difficulty positioning themselves for sexual intercourse.
