Prevalence and correlates of weight gain attempts across five countries

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and correlates of weight gain attempts in a pooled sample of adults aged 18 and older from Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Mexico. Method: Data collected during 2 years (2018 and 2019) of the International Food Policy Study (N = 42,108) were analyzed. Unadjusted 12-month prevalence of weight gain attempts was estimated based on body mass index (BMI; kg/m 2 ), weight perception, country, survey year, and sex. Logistic regression analyses were estimated to determine the sociodemographic correlates (age, race/ethnicity, education, BMI, weight perception, weight perception accuracy, and self-rated mental health) of weight gain attempts among the pooled sample stratified by sex.Results: Men (10.4%) were significantly more likely than women (5.4%) to report weight gain attempts (p < .001). Nearly one in five (17.1%) men with a BMI in the "normal" range (≥18.5 to <25.0) reported weight gain attempts. Among both men and women, minority group identity was associated with higher odds, while older age and higher BMI category were associated with lower odds, of reporting weight gain attempts. Country differences over the two survey years showed the prevalence of weight gain attempts in 2019 (vs. 2018) was higher among women in Australia (p < .05) and men in the United States (p < .01).Discussion: Weight gain attempts are more common among men, compared to women, across five countries, potentially reflecting the global salience of the pursuit of a muscular body.

Weight gain attempts and diet modification efforts among adults in five countries: a cross-sectional study

“…Weight gain attempts were assessed using the question, "During the past 12 months have you tried to… gain weight". This measure aligns with prior research investigating weight gain attempts [1,4,5,15].…”

“…Similarly, among adolescents in the U.K., prevalence of weight gain attempts is higher among adolescent boys (13%) than girls (4%) [4]. Recent research, however, has underscored the relatively common occurrence of weight gain attempts among an international sample of adults [5], indicating the global relevance of such weight-change efforts.…”

Weight Change Is Associated with Osteoporosis: A Cross Sectional Study Using the Korean Community Health Survey

“…Moreover, those who desire to gain weight may have other characteristics. Ganson et al reported that those who underperceived their weight tended to try gain more weight [22]. Previous authors also found that 1 in 6 men attempting to gain weight had a normal range of BMI.…”

“…Previous authors also found that 1 in 6 men attempting to gain weight had a normal range of BMI. These findings suggest that these individuals may increase the risk of disordered eating behaviours or unhealthy excess weight gain [22]. Addition insight is provided by a study that examined BMD in patients with bulimia nervosa, a disease of overeating.…”

“…The normal weight, overweight, and obese groups included subjects who desired to gain weight, and the OR of osteoporosis was significantly high in normal weight and obese people. These are likely people who underperceived their weight [22] or have dietary problems, and osteoporosis may have been caused by eating disorders [10]. Kammire et al analyzed the results of intentional weight loss in 77 older adults having obesity.…”