New research shows that dieters who lose about 13 percent of their body weight over two years both feel more sexually attractive and have greater sexual desire.
Rating Sexual Feelings
Almost 200 obese dieters participated in the study; most were women, and their average weight was nearly 250 pounds.
The dieters filled out a questionnaire every three months for two years, and were also weighed at the time of the survey. The questionnaire evaluated their feelings ranging from lack of sexual desire to reluctance to being seen undressed to difficulty in sexual performance.
Improvement Across the Board
The study participants simultaneously underwent a weight-loss program. At the end of the first three months, dieters lost an average of 12 percent of their starting weight, and reported improvements in all areas of sexual quality of life.
After 12 months in the program:
- 26 percent reported not feeling sexually attractive, down from 68 percent at the beginning of the study.
- 34 percent reported not wanting to be seen undressed, down from 63 percent.
- 11 percent reported not enjoying sexual activity, down from 21 percent.
- 15 percent reported having little sexual desire, down from 39 percent.
- 15 percent reported avoiding sexual encounters, down from 29 percent.
- 12 percent reported difficulty with sexual performance, down from 27 percent.
At the end of the two-year program, participants who lost and kept off 13 percent of their starting weight showed stable improvements.
