Body Mass Index Category, Exercise, and Depression: Predicting Condom Use at Last Intercourse

Body Mass Index intersects with many predictors of condom use; however, few studies have viewed obesity as an independent predictor of condom use. Using a theoretical viewpoint that the obesity stigma may change an individual’s behavior, I look at BMI as an independent variable predicting condom use at last intercourse. After controlling for age, race, STI diagnosis, depression, exercise, parental education, and parental income, BMI is generally not a significant predictor of condom use. However, there is an interaction between obesity and fitness: obese women who work out are 3.5 times more likely to use a condom, and obese women who do not work out are 64 percent less likely to use a condom. This finding presents implications for both health education and stigma reduction.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology

Grantor

Texas State University-San Marcos

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Pitts, Amanda Louise

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Watt, Toni Terling

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• McKinney, Audrey
• Majumdar, Debarun

• condoms
• obesity
• sex
• body mass index
• psychology

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/12337

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/12337