Objective: This study compares the specific behavioral strategies that rural men and women use when trying to lose weight.
Design: A cross-sectional, in-person survey.
Setting: Participants were part of a larger study in rural Iowa (n = 407) intended to identify community health promotion issues.
Participants: 184 adults (56 men, 128 women) who reported currently trying to lose weight
Variables measured: 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.
Analysis: 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 and implications: 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.