Gender-based health and weight loss beliefs in knee osteoarthritis patients

Osteoarthritis: A chronic joint condition

Affects 12.5% of the Australian population > 45 yrs

Cost approximately $1.2 billion in 2001

Knee OA, Obesity & Women Effects women > men Obesity main modifiable risk factor Weight loss →improved symptoms BMI → ↑symptom severity, particularly in

women Despite this, those with OA still gain weight !

Study aims Thus this study aims to investigate

gender-based health and weight loss beliefs of those with knee osteoarthritis in order to develop a more effective weight loss intervention strategy for female sufferers

MethodsParticipants: 100 patients attending a rheumatology or orthopedic

clinic with symptomatic knee OA Aged 50 – 70 yearsData collection: Two part questionnaire:

1. Health and weight loss beliefs2. Knee symptoms (pain, stiffness and function)

Data Analysis

Data examined separately for men and women

Analysed using SPSS Statistically significance: p<0.05

Characteristics of Study Population

Body Weight Satisfaction*

Not satisfied Quite Satisfied Satisfied0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Men Women

Leve

l of

body

wei

ght

satis

fact

ion

(%)

* Not significantly different

Body Shape Satisfaction*

Not Satisfied Quite satisfied Satisfied 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Men Women

Leve

l of

body

sha

pe s

atis

fact

ion

(%)

*P=0.008 for trend

Weight Change in the Last 6 Months*

Gained weight Lost weight Stayed at the same weight

Don’t know0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

MenWomen%

*P=0.008 for trend

Desired Weight*

Happy as I am 1 – 5 kg more Over 5kg more 1-5 kg less 6-10kg less Over 10 kg less

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Men Women%

* Not significantly different

Dieting Frequency*

Never More than 10 times

1-4 times I am always on a diet to lose weight

5-10 times0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Men Women %

*P=0.013 for trend

Factors Causing Weight Gain

Geneti

cs & m

etabo

lism

Amou

nt of

physic

al act

ivity/e

xerci

se

Alcoh

ol int

ake

Total a

mount o

f food

eaten

Smoki

ng

Fat in

take

Sugar

intake

I don’t

tend

to put

weight

onOthe

rNon

e

Don’t k

now0

10

20

30

40

50

60

MenWomen%

*

**

*P=0.013; **P=0.031

Reasons to Exercise

To rel

ease

tensio

n/rela

x

To be

out o

f doo

rs

To main

tain g

ood h

ealth

To soc

ialise

with ot

her pe

ople

To los

e or co

ntrol

weight

To ha

ve fu

n, adve

nture

or ex

citemen

t

To fee

l or ge

t fit

To ga

in a s

ense o

f achi

evement

To en

joy th

e com

petiti

on

To work

harde

r/ conc

entra

te bet

ter

I don’t

partic

ipate

in an

y

None o

f the a

bove

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

MenWomen %

*

*P=0.0004

Level of agreement with the statement:

A campaign in my locality aimed at

increasing participation in physical

activity/exercise would be effective in

encouraging me to do more.

Level of Agreement*

Disagree Neutral Agree0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

MenWomen%

*P=0.009 across trend

Limitations

Cross-sectional designed study Use of questionnaire English participants only

ConclusionsWomen: Diet more yet frequently gain weight Believe in exercise to control weight Would be receptive to targeted

intervention

Therefore…

A targeted intervention campaign focused on dietary education and exercise participation may be effective in preventing weight gain and promoting weight loss among women with knee OA