Analysis of influencing factors of social behavioral characteristics on the establishment of weight control intention among young males

Liu Chunhui; Zhou Yu'na; Shan Wensheng; Wang Zhiqiang; Wu Ruipeng

doi:10.11986/j.issn.1673-873X.2024.S2.02

Abstract：Objective To investigate the social behavioral characteristics of young males and explore the influence of social be-haviors on their intention to establish weight control.Methods A total of 854 young males visiting the preconception clinic at Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital from June to December 2023 were enrolled as participants.Social be-havioral characteristics were collected using a Likert scale.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing the establishment of weight control intention.Results In the overweight(OW)/obesity(OB)group,55.04%(202/367)were older youths aged 30-39 years,significantly higher than that in the normal weight(NW)group[25.05%(122/487);χ2=4.635,P<0.001].The proportion of highly educated youths in the OW/OB group was 36.51%(134/367),lower than that in the NW group[49.08%(239/487);χ2=2.361,P=0.015].The rate of spousal obesity in the OW/OB group was 44.41%(163/367),significantly higher than that in the NW group[26.89%(131/487);χ2=3.362,P=0.005].In the OW/OB group,59.67%(219/367)reported that their primary social contacts were mostly individuals with obesity,significantly higher than that in the NW group[24.44%(119/487);χ2=6.871,P=0.002].The acceptance rate of weight control advice from primary social contacts in the OW/OB group was significantly higher than that in the NW group 55.31%(203/367)vs.33.88%(165/487);(χ2=7.548,P=0.008).Multivariate logistic regression a-nalysis revealed that educational level(OR=2.964),acceptability of overweight/obesity(OR=1.634),acceptability of un-healthy dietary habits(OR=2.328),acceptability of lacking exercise habits(OR=2.164),weight control advice from pri-mary social contacts(OR=3.018),receiving weight control assistance from others(OR=2.112),and online social engage-ment(OR=2.213)were influencing factors for establishing weight control intention among OW/OB young males.Conclu-sion The establishment of weight control intention among overweight/obese young males is associated with multiple social behavioral characteristics,including educational level,acceptability of overweight/obesity,tolerance of unhealthy dietary and exercise habits,weight control advice from social contacts,external weight management support,and active online social participation.Positive guidance in these social behaviors may effectively strengthen their motivation for weight control.