Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
05:10

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Published on: May 30, 2025

Revisiting obesity and condom use in men who have sex with men

David A Moskowitz1, David W Seal

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Center for AIDS Intervention Research, 2071 North Summit Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA. dmoskowi@mcw.edu

Archives of Sexual Behavior
|February 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Higher body mass index (BMI) in men who have sex with men (MSM) is linked to increased sexual risk-taking behaviors, including less condom use. This finding suggests obese MSM may face higher STD risks.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Sexual Health
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Men who have sex with men (MSM) have high rates of eating disorders and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
  • Limited research exists on how body mass index (BMI) affects sexual risk-taking in MSM.
  • Previous studies have not sufficiently explored the relationship between BMI and condom use in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between increased BMI and sexual behaviors among overweight and obese MSM.
  • To assess condom use consistency during anal intercourse in relation to BMI.
  • To understand potential links between BMI, partner acquisition, and sexual risk in MSM.

Main Methods:

  • An online survey was administered to 576 MSM who had placed same-sex sexual advertisements.
  • Data collected included age, HIV status, height, weight, partner rejection rates, number of anal intercourse partners, and condom usage.
  • Statistical analysis examined correlations between BMI and sexual risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Increased BMI correlated with a lower likelihood of rejecting sexual partners.
  • Higher BMI was associated with a reduced number of actual anal intercourse partners.
  • A significant association was found between increased BMI and decreased condom use during anal intercourse.

Conclusions:

  • Overweight and obese MSM may be at a greater risk for STDs compared to normal-weight MSM.
  • Inconsistent condom use among MSM with higher BMIs might be linked to the excitement of acquiring partners.
  • Public health strategies should consider BMI as a factor in sexual health interventions for MSM.

More Related Videos

A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli08:01

A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli

Published on: August 12, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution01:25

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...