Weight management strategies reported by rural men and women in Iowa.
OBJECTIVE
This study compares the specific behavioral strategies that rural men and women use when trying to lose weight.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, in-person survey.


METHODS
Participants were part of a larger study in rural Iowa (n = 407) intended to identify community health promotion issues.


METHODS
184 adults (56 men, 128 women) who reported currently trying to lose weight


METHODS
Measures capture strategies for dealing with the social environment, food choice and preparation, physical activity planning, social support, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, dietary intake and physical activity level.


METHODS
T-tests, chi-square, Cronbach alpha, descriptive statistics.


RESULTS
Women reported greater use of nearly all strategies measured. Men reported more social support for diet, whereas women reported more social support for physical activity. Results for self-efficacy and outcome expectations were mixed. No gender differences were found for fat intake, fruit and vegetable servings, or physical activity level.


CONCLUSIONS
Men and women differ in the specific strategies they use to lose weight, including those related to the social environment. Practitioners planning weight management programs should be aware that men and women may have different levels of experience in using specific behavioral strategies.
Nothwehr
Faryle
F
Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. Faryle-nothwehr@uiowa.edu
Snetselaar
Linda
L
Wu
Haotong
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D012423:Rural Health; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D015431:Weight Loss