--- title: "Gender differences in wt behaviors in obese US adults. | Sutter Health" description: "A need exists for male-specific interventions to improve overweight and obese men's likelihood for accurate weight perception, attempted weight loss, and ultimately, successful weight loss." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/gender-differences-in-wt-behaviors-in-obese-adults-1055312812" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Gender differences in wt behaviors in obese US adults. # Gender differences in weight-related attitudes and behaviors among overweight and obese adults in the United States. Tsai SA, Lv N, Xiao L, & Ma J. _Am J Mens Health. pii: 1557988314567223. \[Epub ahead of print\]_ 2015-01-15 ## Abstract Few studies have used nationally representative data to focus specifically on gender differences in weight-related outcomes. This article examines gender differences in weight-related outcomes across the body mass index (BMI) spectrum in overweight and obese adults. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2010 was analyzed. Weight-related outcomes were accurate weight perception, weight dissatisfaction, attempted weight loss, successful weight loss, and weight loss strategies. Compared with women, overweight and obese men were less likely to have accurate weight perception (odds ratio \[OR\] = 0.36; 95% confidence interval \[CI\] = 0.30-0.44), weight dissatisfaction (OR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.32-0.47), and attempted weight loss (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.48-0.63). The modifying effect of gender on these associations decreased as BMI increased. By BMI 35, the mean probability of women and men to have accurate weight perception and weight dissatisfaction was 90%; attempted weight loss was 60% (women) and 50% (men). At lower BMIs, men had up to 40% less probability than women for these weight loss outcomes. Men who attempted weight loss were more likely than women to lose and maintain ≥10 lb over 1 year (OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.20-1.65) and increase exercise and eat less fat as weight loss strategies; women were more likely to join weight loss programs, take prescription diet pills, and follow special diets. A need exists for male-specific interventions to improve overweight and obese men's likelihood for accurate weight perception, attempted weight loss, and ultimately, successful weight loss. [PubMed abstract](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25595019) ## Research topics - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Medical Informatics](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Medical+Informatics%5C%22%22) - [Men's Health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Men%27s+Health%5C%22%22) - [Obesity](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Obesity%5C%22%22) - [Women's Health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Women%27s+Health%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [World Endometriosis Research Foundation Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project: I. Surgical phenotype data collection in endometriosis research.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/surgical-phenotype-data-endometriosis-research-1055312881) Becker CM, Laufer MR, Stratton P, Hummelshoj L, Missmer SA, Zondervan KT, Adamson GD; WERF EPHect Working Group. Fertil Steril. 102(5):1213-22. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.07.709. Epub 2014 Aug 20. 2014 Nov 01 - Publication ### [Impact of education on weight in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: every little bit helps.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/education-impact-wt-diabetes-1055312810) Azar KM, Chung S, Wang EJ, Zhao B, Linde RB, Lederer J, Palaniappan LP. PLoS One. 10(6):e0129348. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129348. eCollection 2015. 2015 Jun 08 - Publication ### [Variability in engagement and progress in efficacious integrated collaborative care for primary care patients with obesity and depression: within-treatment analysis in the RAINBOW trial.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/obesity-depression-rainbow-trial-within-treatment-analysis-1055312741) Lv N, Xiao L, Majd M, Lavori PW, Smyth JM, Rosas LG, Venditti EM, Snowden MB, Lewis MA, Ward E, Lesser L, Williams LM, Azar KMJ, Ma J. PLoS One. 15(4):e0231743. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231743. eCollection 2020. 2020 Apr 21 - Publication ### [Use of gene expression profiling and chemotherapy in early-stage breast cancer: a study of linked electronic medical records, cancer registry data, and genomic data across two health care systems.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/gene-expression-profile-chemotx-breast-ca-1055312292) Afghahi A, Mathur M, Thompson CA, Mitani A, Rigdon J, Desai M, Yu PP, de Bruin MA, Seto T, Olson C, Kenkare P, Gomez SL, Das AK, Luft HS, Sledge GW Jr, Sing AP, Kurian AW. J Oncol Pract. pii: JOPR009803. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2016 May 24 - Publication ### [Assessment of body mass index and association with adolescent preventive care in U.S. outpatient settings.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/assess-bmi-teen-outpt-preventive-care-1055312947) Ma J, Xiao L. J Adolesc Health. 2009 May;44(5):502-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.10.001. Epub 2008 Nov 22. 2009 May 01 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/gender-differences-in-wt-behaviors-in-obese-adults-1055312812#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Gender differences in wt behaviors in obese US adults."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/gender-differences-in-wt-behaviors-in-obese-adults-1055312812#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Gender differences in weight-related attitudes and behaviors among overweight and obese adults in the United States.","headline":"Gender differences in wt behaviors in obese US adults.","abstract":"Few studies have used nationally representative data to focus specifically on gender differences in weight-related outcomes. This article examines gender differences in weight-related outcomes across the body mass index (BMI) spectrum in overweight and obese adults. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2010 was analyzed. Weight-related outcomes were accurate weight perception, weight dissatisfaction, attempted weight loss, successful weight loss, and weight loss strategies. Compared with women, overweight and obese men were less likely to have accurate weight perception (odds ratio [OR] = 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.30-0.44), weight dissatisfaction (OR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.32-0.47), and attempted weight loss (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.48-0.63). The modifying effect of gender on these associations decreased as BMI increased. By BMI 35, the mean probability of women and men to have accurate weight perception and weight dissatisfaction was 90%; attempted weight loss was 60% (women) and 50% (men). At lower BMIs, men had up to 40% less probability than women for these weight loss outcomes. Men who attempted weight loss were more likely than women to lose and maintain ≥10 lb over 1 year (OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.20-1.65) and increase exercise and eat less fat as weight loss strategies; women were more likely to join weight loss programs, take prescription diet pills, and follow special diets. 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