Most men want to lose weight but few seek help from GP - survey

The survey says 39% of Irish men found it difficult to talk openly about their weight.  Stock picture

Almost three-quarters of men would like to lose weight, yet fewer than one in three have discussed the issue with their GP, according to new research.

The survey also found widespread concern about weight-related stigma, with nine in 10 men believing people who are overweight face prejudice because of their weight. Feelings of shame were most pronounced among men aged 45 to 54.

The findings come from an Ipsos B&A survey of more than 1,500 people carried out for Novo Nordisk Ireland, the pharmaceutical company behind diabetes and weight-loss treatments including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda.

The survey says 39% of Irish men found it difficult to talk openly about their weight. 

In addition 25% link being overweight with shame, reaching 32% among middle-aged men aged 45 to 54.

The survey also looked at culture and socialising in Ireland, focusing on pub culture as well as attitudes to sport, food, and humour.

One in three men identified these as triggers for weight gain, while 41% of women also recognised these issues as impacting men’s weight.

Some 45% of men said their partner or spouse was the person they would most likely take advice from about their weight. 

Professor Carel le Roux works at University College Dublin and in the field of obesity medicine. 

He received fees of €44,271 last year from Novo Nordisk, according to the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association transfer of value register.

He said on Monday: “Obesity is now considered a complex chronic disease, yet it is still often viewed through the lens of willpower or personal responsibility.

“When the disease of obesity is linked with shame or personal failure, conversations can become much harder to have.” 

The survey findings show men are trying to manage obesity on their own, said Prof le Roux.