When it comes to feeling the pressure to lose those extra pounds ahead of summer, it is not just women feeling the heat, with new research out today showing almost half of men claim they diet in preparation for a holiday.
Health on Female First
According to a survey commissioned by Withings, who make Wi-Fi connected health products, over a third of men say they feel stressed at the thought of having to show their body on the beach. The pressure proves too much for some, with 10% admitting to the drastic action of cancelling a holiday, or staying in the UK, because they just couldn't bear to bare.
Peer pressure and the views of others are the main reasons for men feeling uncomfortable with stripping off; as over a quarter of men polled said they worried others would judge them. Almost a fifth said they didn't want to be reminded of their appearance in holiday photos when back on these shores.
"The results of the research definitely show a shift in men's attitude towards their image and there is definitely more pressure in terms of them feeling like they need to match up to their partner's expectations", said chief marketing officer at Withings, Minh Lê. "There's no doubting the influence of celebrity culture and images of buff beach bodies in the media, and more men are now taking everyday health and fitness measures to stay in shape."
It’s not just looking at other men to compete against either, as more than one in ten say they pit themselves against their partner to see who can lose the most weight ahead of going on holiday.
Favourite celebrity beach body was something that both genders agreed on as David Beckham took top spot with both men and women. However, proving he still has a body that grabs the public's attention, Arnold Schwarzenegger, best known for his muscles in The Terminator, received more votes for best beach body than supermodel David Gandy.
Equally both men and woman pinpoint the stomach as the most troublesome area to shift weight from with 60% and 55% respectively saying they found it hardest part of the body to tone up. However, 4% of men polled said their pecs were their main concern and the area they struggled with the most, with thighs, arms and face also proving tricky spots.
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