IntroductionTo explore gender differences in the relationship between loneliness and health-related behavioral risk factors (BRFs) among the Hakka elderly.MethodsLoneliness was measured bythe UCLA Loneliness Scale Short-form (ULS-8). Seven BRFs were examined. Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, andpost hoctests were conducted to compare the differences in ULS-8 scores among the Hakka elderly with different BRFs. Generalized linear regression models were employed to examine the associations of specific BRF and its number with the ULS-8 scores among the Hakka elderly in male, female, and total samples.ResultsPhysical inactivity (B= 1.96,p< 0.001), insufficient leisure activities participation (B= 1.44,p< 0.001), unhealthy dietary behavior (B= 1.02,p< 0.001), and irregular sleep (B= 2.45,p< 0.001) were positively correlated with the ULS-8 scores, whereas drinking (B= −0.71,p< 0.01) was negatively associated with the ULS-8 scores in the total sample. In males, insufficient leisure activities participation (B= 2.35,p< 0.001), unhealthy dietary behavior (B= 1.39,p< 0.001), and irregular sleep (B= 2.07,p< 0.001) were positively associated with the ULS-8 scores. In females, physical inactivity (B= 2.69,p< 0.001) and irregular sleep (B= 2.91,p< 0.001) was positively correlated with the scores of ULS-8, while drinking (B= −0.98,p< 0.05) was negatively associated with the ULS-8 scores. More BRFs were significantly related to greater loneliness (p< 0.001).ConclusionThere are gender differences in the relationship between loneliness and BRFs among the Hakka elderly, and individuals with more BRFs were more likely to feel loneliness. Therefore, the co-occurrence of multiple BRFs requires more attention, and integrated behavioral intervention strategies should be adopted to reduce the loneliness of the elderly.