Abstract
SummaryObjectiveYoung men are less likely to engage in weight loss behaviours than their female counterparts. This may be because of an increased likelihood for young men, particularly young black men, with overweight/obesity to misperceive their weight status. This study examined racial differences in weight status perception accuracy and associations between this perception and weight loss behaviours among young men. Associations between weight loss behaviours and contextual factors were also explored.MethodsData from 1417 young adult (YA) men with overweight/obesity from the 2007 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analysed. Associations between weight status perception accuracy, contextual factors, and weight loss attempts and behaviours were examined with logistic regression.ResultsYA men with overweight/obesity were more likely to report weight loss attempts and behaviours if they perceived themselves as being overweight (OR = 3.10; 95% CI, 2.18‐4.41; P < .01; OR = 3.20, 95% CI, 2.16‐4.72, P < .01, respectively). Greater education and income were associated with a greater likelihood of reporting weight loss attempts and healthy weight loss behaviours. Greater reported depressive symptoms were associated with reported weight loss attempts but not healthy weight loss behaviours. There were no differences by race for reported weight loss attempts or behaviours.ConclusionAmong YA men with overweight/obesity, perceiving oneself as overweight was associated with reporting weight loss attempts and healthy weight loss behaviours. Future research should consider how weight status perception accuracy affects weight loss attempts among YA men and what additional factors may account for racial differences.
Highlights
Among young adults (YAs; 20 to 39 years of age), the prevalence of overweight/obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2 and greater than or equal to 30.0 kg/m2, respectively, has increased significantly over the past 30 years, among YA men.[1,2] National estimates indicate 62% of YA men have overweight/ obesity.[2]
To enhance understanding of factors related to weight loss attempts among YA men, and black men, the present study examined racial differences in the influence of weight status perception accuracy on reported weight loss attempts in the past year among YA men with overweight/obesity
Analyses were limited to black and white YA men given the focus of this work on understanding racial differences between these understudied groups on weight status perception accuracy and weight loss attempts
Summary
Among young adults (YAs; 20 to 39 years of age), the prevalence of overweight/obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2 and greater than or equal to 30.0 kg/m2, respectively, has increased significantly over the past 30 years, among YA men.[1,2] National estimates indicate 62% of YA men have overweight/ obesity.[2]. Several factors are likely responsible for this excess weight gain among YA men. Fruit and vegetable consumption among YA men has declined significantly since the 1980s,6 and YA men are not highly engaged in preparing their own food, which may lower the overall quality of their diets.[7] Further, young men consistently report higher levels of physical activity than YA women, they do not meet national recommendations.[6] Importantly, YA men are less likely to engage in weight loss than are YA women.[8] little research has explored which factors could best explain why this may be the case. Given increased risk of weight gain during this time period as well as significant obesity‐related comorbidities for YA men in general,[9] and black men ,[5] it is important to understand why they are less likely to attempt weight loss
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