A UK report published by the National Bariatric Surgery Registry (NBSR) reports that four out of five weight loss surgery patients are female, meaning that only 20% of bariatric surgery recipients are men.
The report also lists the benefits of bariatric surgery, especially highlighting its cost-effectiveness. This is troublesome, because if surgery is so beneficial, why are men receiving it at such a lower rate than women?
It is true that women have a higher rate of obesity, but the rates are not so disparate as to explain the discrepancy. In England, for example, 4% of men have a BMI greater than 35, as compared to 6% of women. In the US, 35.5% of women are obese (BMI > 30), as compared to 32.2% of men.
The question is, are doctors less likely to offer male patients the option of weight loss surgery, or are men less likely to accept bariatric surgery as an option?
Source: Men’s Health Forum
So, why do you think this is? My opinion is that we have such a double standard for obesity in this country. I mean, its “OK” for a man to have a “beer gut…” Generally doesn’t stop them from finding a partner. But a “large” woman is considered gross. Guess it comes back to the base objectivication of woman we often see in this society.So, more women take these steps to look better for men.
Not saying its right, just that is what I think it is.
What do you think?
I agree there is a double standard. Men aren’t as shunned for their obesity as women are. Not that they don’t suffer as much in the long run but I also believe that men are less likely to accept a surgical option for their problem.
Travis, that’s the explanation I’m tempted to give. But I’ve only ever been a fat woman, not a fat man.
As a male WLS patient, I believe the stats are the same in my area. My WLS support group has that almost identical make-up. The same is true of WLS bloggers. Actually, I think there is maybe less than 10% male WLS bloggers.
One of the observations I have seen is that male WLS patients tend to be older and find their way to the surgery via a doctor referral when their health hits an all time low. It’s like they do it because they were “forced” to do it. I believe it has something to do with male unwillingness to have surgery that many guys question as “cosmetic”. We know it is not true, but most males I know believe that is the case. A typical male is not willing to go through surgery that he may see as being cosmetic. Well, there is also that man thing of thinking a few pounds is just more to love.