According to a new study, women who are fit burn fat faster than men.
A study conducted by the University of Bath compared both sexes and measured how their bodies responded to exercise and weight loss by measuring their levels of oxidation.
A total of 73 people between the ages of 19 and 63 took part in a series of bicycle tests. The weight of the participants varied from normal to obese.
The results suggest that women and those who were physically fit were more efficient at burning fat while exercising, regardless of their age.
Lead researcher Ollie Chrzanowski-Smith of the Bath Department of Health said, “Our study found that women tend to rely more on fat for fuel than men during exercise.
“Understanding the mechanisms behind these gender differences in fuel economy can explain why being a woman appears to offer a metabolic benefit for insulin sensitivity, an important marker of metabolic health.”
Dr. Javier Gonzalez, who was also involved in the study, added, “Weight management is mostly about energy balance. In order to lose weight, we need to eat fewer calories than we use from our resting metabolism and physical activity. However, people with a higher ability to burn fat for fuel seem somewhat protected from future weight gain, possibly related to how fat burning affects food intake and energy expenditure.
“Ultimately, having a greater ability to burn fat for fuel has potential benefits for endurance athletes as it delays the point when they run out of precious carbohydrates.”
The study was published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Medicine.
