The association between weight status and sex-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours among Hong Kong adolescents

Abstract

Interdiction：Little attention has been paid on the association between weight status and Hong Kong adolescents’ sexuality. Nowadays, increasing incidence of risky sexual behaviours caused negative outcomes among adolescents. Studies showed that obesity population suffer difficult social relationships and had bad school performance. The aim of this study is to identify associations between BMI, BSD status and sex-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours among Hong Kong adolescents. Methods: This population-based study uses secondary data from Youth Sexuality Study (YSS), it is a self-administered questionnaire conducted by Hong Kong Family Planning Association (HKFPA). 2329 secondary school Form 3 to Form 7 students successfully completed the survey were included in the study. The primary outcome is sexual knowledge scores, sexual attitudes scores, dating status and intercourse status. Body mass index (BMI) was estimated to classify weight status categories (categorized by normal weight, underweight, overweight, and obese) according to IOTF cutoffs and WHO BMI guideline. Body shape dissatisfaction was defined as a discrepancy between current and ideal body shape based on a figure rating scale. Age, gender, grade, parental education levels and BMI were adjusted as confounders. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the association between weight status and sex-related knowledge, and attitudes. A binary logistic regression was used to compare associations between weight status and sex-related behaviours and provide odds ratios (OR). Results: 7.1% of respondents were classified into underweight, 83.4% normal weight, 6.3% overweight and 3.2% obese. Obese students had an average a sexual attitudes score 1.26 (95% CI: 1.21, 6.96) point higher than that of the normal weight students, and obese girls had a mean attitudes score 1.24 higher than normal weight girls, it is significant association. A means of 0.59 points higher of sexual attitudes score for desired a larger BS students compared to no dissatisfaction. Odds ratio was showed for overweight boys of 1.74 (95% CI: 1.08, 2.79) showed likely to had dating. There was no significant association of knowledge score with current weight status after adjustment of confounders. Likewise, there was no significant association between weight status and intercourse status. Conclusion: Overweight and desired a smaller body shape was significantly associated with sexual attitudes that are accepting of risk-taking behaviours. Being overweight and desiring a smaller body shape was also associated with increased probability of ever having dated, but only in males. This study provided some findings to suggest adolescents’ sexuality and weight status for Hong Kong government’s policy making agenda. There need to be more allocation of education resources in expanding mental and social-relationship consultancy for obesity adolescents and those who desired a smaller body shape, and to develop risky sex-related behaviours prevention to obesity male adolescents.