Public Perception and Behavioral Drivers toward Weight-Loss Supplements as Substitutes for Physical Exercise Among Urban Youth: A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Study

N Rajesh*, Ashish Bajulge, Abhishek Kumar, Ankit Patra and Akash Chavan

Background: The global weight-loss supplement industry has expanded rapidly, driven by pervasive digital marketing and visual idealization on social media platforms. Weight-loss supplements are increasingly observed co-occurring with reduced physical exercise among urban young adults, presenting potential public health concerns. This study evaluates the prevalence of weight-loss supplement awareness and usage, examines public perceptions of efficacy and safety, analyzes associations with physical activity reduction, evaluates social media exposure correlates, and assesses demographic variations by age and gender. 

Objectives: This study examines the prevalence of weight-loss supplement use among urban youth, evaluates consumer perceptions of efficacy and safety, quantifies the role of social media marketing, assesses behavioral substitution of exercise, and identifies gender- and age-based differences in usage patterns.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was administered via a structured digital questionnaire to a convenience sample of 250 urban young adults (aged 18 to 31+ years) recruited through NIPER Hyderabad and associated academic networks between January and March 2026. The instrument comprised demographic items, categorical usage indicators, and twelve 5-point Likert-scale items measuring five subscales: Social Media Influence, Marketing Trust, Safety Perception & Herbal Trust, Supplement Usage Frequency, and Physical Activity Substitution. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27, incorporating subscale Cronbach’s alpha reliability, Pearson’s Chi-square test, independent-samples t-test, One-Way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation/linear regression. Multi-test sample size adequacy was verified using G*Power software. 

Results: The survey instrument demonstrated high internal consistency across subscales (α = 0.764 to 0.835) and overall (α = 0.811). Supplement usage frequency was significantly associated with reduced regular physical exercise x² = 14.82,df = 6.p = 0.038), with frequent users exhibiting 3.2-fold higher odds of low physical activity (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.8–5.7). Weight management motivators differed significantly by gender: females reported higher appearance-driven motivation (M = 74.0, SD = 8.3) compared to males (M = 46.0, SD = 9.1; t (248) = 2.15,p = 0.041, d = 0.39). Younger participants (18–20 years) demonstrated the highest trust in “natural/herbal” claims (M = 78.0%, SD = 9.2%) and the lowest frequency of safety certification checking (M = 22.0%, SD = 6.8%: F (3,246) = 4.12, p = 0.012, n² = 0.048). Social Media Influence Score (SMIS) was strongly and positively correlated with Supplement Usage Frequency Score (SUFS) (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), accounting for 46.0% of the variance in usage frequency (R² = 0.460). 

Conclusion: In this cohort of urban young adults, weight-loss supplement consumption is significantly associated with lower physical exercise levels and strongly correlated with social media influence. Given the cross-sectional design, findings indicate non-causal behavioral co-occurrence rather than direct causation. Recommendations include enhanced digital advertising enforcement by regulatory authorities, integrated health literacy education in universities, and public health campaigns promoting exercise. 

Keywords:

Published on: Oct 10, 2026 Pages: 17-24

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/ijpsdr.000060
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