Engaging Men in Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Programs

Abstract

Chronic disease has become one of the largest health burdens facing the developed world. Men are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with chronic disease than women. Although lifestyle interventions have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic disease in participants, men are often underrepresented in such programs. The purpose of this study was to explore the individual-level and program-specific factors that affect male participation rates in chronic disease prevention and management (CDPM) programs. A scoping review methodology was selected, and 25 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Results showed that traditional group-based programs that focused on topics such as nutrition and physical activity were often seen by men as inherently feminine, which served as a barrier for participation. Program-specific factors that attracted men to participate in interventions included a group component with like-minded men, the use of humor in the delivery of health information, the inclusion of both nutrition and physical activity components, and the presence of some manner of competition. A past negative health event, personal concern for health status, and motivation to improve physical appearance were cited by men as facilitators to CDPM program participation. Gaps in the research are identified, and results of this study can be used to inform the development of CDPM programs that will improve the engagement and participation of men.

Sociocognitive factors associated with lifestyle intervention attrition after successful weight loss among participants with prediabetes—The PREVIEW study

“…Indeed, the intervention program, if translated into, for example, a community health program seems vulnerable to contribute increasing health inequalities, as participants were predominantly women with high educational achievement, and in employment or in study. Although the demographic profile of the participants may have been influenced by self‐selection bias (Krauss, 2018), participant's characteristics appear similar to those observed in many health promotion interventions (Gavarkovs et al, 2016; Wareham & Herman, 2016), thus indicating that men and those with lower educational achievement were less likely to participate. In this trial, furthermore, attrition was associated with factors such as non‐Caucasian ethnicity and lower educational achievement, factors which have been previously related with higher risk of developing T2D (Gavarkovs et al, 2016; Harreiter & Kautzky‐Willer, 2018).…”

“…Second objective of the study was the examination of concerns that interventions have a potential to increase health inequalities (Gavarkovs et al, 2016; Wareham & Herman, 2016). Indeed, the intervention program, if translated into, for example, a community health program seems vulnerable to contribute increasing health inequalities, as participants were predominantly women with high educational achievement, and in employment or in study.…”

“…While the predictive value of the model presented in here can be questioned, the results provided nevertheless insights into factors of increasing the likelihood of a lifestyle intervention attrition. Generally, while women with higher educational achievement were overrepresented in the PREVIEW trial (Gavarkovs et al, 2016), after successful weight loss, gender was not associated with attrition. Both main and sensitivity analyses indicated demographic variables of younger age and non‐Caucasian ethnicity as predictors of attrition after successful weight loss.…”

“…Community‐based lifestyle interventions have attracted criticism due to their potential to increase health inequalities. Women and those with a more affluent life situation tend to be overrepresented, even though men, ethnic minorities, as well as those from lower social‐economic background tend to have higher risk of developing, for example, T2D (Gavarkovs, Burke, & Petrella, 2016; Harreiter & Kautzky‐Willer, 2018; Siegel et al, 2018; Sortsø, Lauridsen, Emneus, Green, & Jensen, 2018). Similarly, higher lifestyle intervention attrition has been associated with sociodemographic and cognitive factors such as lower educational achievement, ethnicity, younger age, higher BMI, unemployment, and lower self‐efficacy (Burgess, Hassmén, & Pumpa, 2017; Goode et al, 2016; Haughton et al, 2018; Leung, Chan, Sea, & Woo, 2017).…”

Factors Contributing Toward Men’s Engagement With HIV Services: A Narrative Review

“…In addition, Gavarkovs, Burke, and Petrella also strived to explore some of the main ways through which men can engage in chronic disease prevention and disease management programs. The scoping review noted that program-specific factors which were attractive to men and which encouraged them to take part in interventions included a group component with like-minded men, the application of humour in the provision of health information, the inclusion of nutrition alongside physical activity elements, and the presence of some kind of competition (Gavarkovs, Burke, & Petrella, 2016).…”