Obese men and women seeking weight-loss treatment report significantly less satisfaction with their sex life than the general population, according to a Duke University Medical Center study. Women report even lower satisfaction than men, the study says.
“We found that there was lower sexual satisfaction and lower sexual quality of life among women than men, and overall sexual quality of life was low among both groups,” said Truls Ostbye, MD, PhD, professor in the Department of Community & Family Medicine at Duke.
Sexual functioning is an area not often discussed between health care providers and patients in general—and obese patients in particular—according to Ostbye. Providers should keep in mind the possibility of reduced sexual quality of life among their obese patients, and invite them to discuss this issue, he said.
“Obese patients welcome the opportunity to discuss the effects of their weight on quality of life, including sexual quality of life,” said, Ronette L. Kolotkin, PhD, co-author of the study and clinical psychologist.
The research is published in the May/June issue of the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy.
“We found that there was lower sexual satisfaction and lower sexual quality of life among women than men, and overall sexual quality of life was low among both groups,” said Truls Ostbye, MD, PhD, professor in the Department of Community & Family Medicine at Duke.
Sexual functioning is an area not often discussed between health care providers and patients in general—and obese patients in particular—according to Ostbye. Providers should keep in mind the possibility of reduced sexual quality of life among their obese patients, and invite them to discuss this issue, he said.
“Obese patients welcome the opportunity to discuss the effects of their weight on quality of life, including sexual quality of life,” said, Ronette L. Kolotkin, PhD, co-author of the study and clinical psychologist.
The research is published in the May/June issue of the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy.
People who decide to lose weight don't do so because it's easy and fun. They do it because the extra pounds reduce (at least in their opinion) the quality of life. The study would be way more accurate if random people were compared to random heavier people. In stead we've got random people compared to self-selected unhappy heavier people.
Very good point, WildOrchid. The element of self-selection skews a lot of survey work.
Damn. My libido hasn't suffered in the least because I'm fat. If it has been diminished, then I fear to think what it would be if I were skinny!
Is this really surprising considering most of the people going into weight loss treatments are suffering from self-esteem issues anyway? Sexual satisfaction and freedom are directly related to self-esteem-- both good and bad. But if you are already self-conscious about your body image, it seems like a no-brainer.
It is hard for a heavier person to put them selfs into certain positions. It is hard to feel everything that a smaller person does during sex. I have been on both sides of the spectrum and felt more in my younger days when I was thinner, then I do now. There is a huge battle trying to lose the weight, it is health issues, self esteem issues, and personal issues with the extra weight.