Weight concerns, dieting behavior, and smoking initiation among adolescents: a prospective study.
Students (n = 1705) in grades 7 through 10 were surveyed at baseline and 1 year later about their weight concerns, dieting behaviors, and smoking behavior. Three of six weight concerns and dieting behaviors assessed at baseline were prospectively related to smoking initiation in girls (trying to lose weight, eating disorder symptoms, constant thoughts about weight). Four of six weight concerns and dieting behaviors were cross-sectionally related to current smoking at baseline in girls (trying to lose weight, eating disorder symptoms, fear of weight gain, desire to be thin). Weight concerns and dieting behaviors were largely unrelated to current smoking in boys. Implications for smoking prevention efforts are discussed.
Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55454-1015.
S A
SA
French
C L
CL
Perry
G R
GR
Leon
J A
JA
Fulkerson
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D015431:Weight Loss