Smoking, weight loss intention and obesity-promoting behaviors in college students.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether college smoking was associated with trying to lose weight and other weight-related behaviors.


METHODS
We surveyed 300 students at the University of Kansas about smoking (ever, current, and amount), weight loss intention (y/n), weight-related attitudes, and eating and exercise behavior. Weight, height, and body fat were measured.


RESULTS
About half the students (49%) self-identified as having ever smoked while 53 (17.6%) self-identified as current smokers. After controlling for sex, age, and ethnicity, ever smoking was not related to weight loss intention but was associated with greater pressure to maintain a healthy weight (p = 0.05), and having engaged in mild exercise on more days in the previous year (p = 0.05). Compared to nonsmokers, current smokers ate more at restaurants serving high calorie foods (p < 0.05) and ate more frequently in front of the TV (p < 0.01). Amount smoked was related to diminished use of exercise facilities (p = 0.03) and more frequent eating at restaurants serving high calorie foods (p < 0.05) and in front of the TV (p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Current smoking among college students was related to weight loss intention. Despite wanting to lose weight, current smoking was concomitant with obesity-promoting behaviors such as eating higher calorie foods and eating in front of the TV. College-based interventions to prevent smoking initiation or promote smoking cessation should include a focus on healthy eating, exercise and healthful ways to lose or maintain weight.
Carroll
Shawna L
SL
Watkins Memorial Health Center, University Of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
Lee
Rebecca E
RE
Kaur
Harsohena
H
Harris
Kari J
KJ
Strother
Myra L
ML
Huang
Terry T-K
TT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012147:Restaurants; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015431:Weight Loss