Gender Differences in Comorbidities and Attitudes Regarding Weight Control among Young Adults with Obesity in Korea

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity in young adulthood increases the risk for premature death, and the prevalence of obesity rapidly increasing among young adults, particularly in young men. We evaluated the gender differences in accompanying comorbidities and attitudes regarding weight control among young Korean adults with obesity.

Materials and methods: We analyzed 2,050 young adults with obesity (1,325 men and 725 women) in the 7th KNHANES (2016-2018) aged 19-44 years, with body mass indexes (BMIs) ≥25.0 kg/m2. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for poor lifestyle factors and accompanying illnesses as well as self-perceived weight status, weight control efforts, and weight control strategies in men compared to those in women were calculated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results: The mean BMIs and waist circumferences were 28.2 ± 0.1 kg/m2 and 93.6 ± 0.2 cm and 28.6 ± 0.1 kg/m2 and 88.7 ± 0.4 cm, in men and women, respectively. The ORs and 95% CIs for abdominal obesity (1.52, 1.11-2.07), hypertension (3.11, 2.20-4.40), hypercholesterolemia (1.45, 1.09-1.93), hypertriglyceridemia (3.37, 2.38-4.78), and elevated alanine transaminase concentration (6.53, 4.56-9.36) were higher in young men compared to those in young women. Despite the higher prevalences of comorbid conditions, the odds of inappropriate weight perception (8.13, 4.17-15.86), lack of weight control efforts (2.20, 1.71-2.84), lack of diet therapy (1.56, 1.13-2.16), lack of pharmacotherapy (13.27, 6.82-25.79), heavy drinking (1.32, 1.02-1.72), current smoking (6.92, 5.00-9.59), and frequent eating out (4.38, 3.35-5.71) were higher among men. However, the odds of not engaging in exercise (0.48, 0.35-0.64) were lower among men compared to that in women.

Discussion: Despite their higher prevalences of comorbidities, appropriate weight perception and weight control efforts are insufficient in young men with obesity. These gender differences should be considered to provide tailored programs for weight reduction in young adults with obesity.