En-Gendering Choice: Preferences for Exercising in Gender-Segregated and Gender-Integrated Groups and Consideration of Overweight Status

Background Understanding the contextual preferences that people have for engaging in a health-enhancing physical activity has been identified as particularly important, as these preferences have been implicated in the maintenance of active lifestyle behaviors. Purpose The primary purpose of this study was to examine adults' preferences for exercising in both gender-segregated and gender-integrated physical activity groups. The secondary purpose was to examine whether overweight status moderates adults' preferences for gender-segregated groups relative to gender-integrated groups. Method Survey data were obtained from a representative sample of 772 adults (N (males) = 407; N (females) = 365) in a large city in the United Kingdom. Results Males and females reported a stronger preference for exercising with members of their own gender relative to exercising in gender-integrated groups. In addition, overweight participants were found to report an accentuated relative preference for gender-segregated groups when compared to normal weight respondents. Conclusion These findings suggest that both within-group gender composition and overweight status should be considered as salient contextual factors when attempting to implement successful group-based exercise programs.