Smoking & Weight Loss - Adolescents
Weight Loss Study Aim
To explore the relationship between smoking and dieting in a cross-sectional
nationally representative sample of young adolescents.
Weight Loss Study Method
Smoking was assessed by serum cotinine concentrations in 1132 adolescents
aged 12-18 years enrolled in the NHANES III study. Information on adolescents'
weight loss attempts were obtained by questionnaire. Normal weight was
defined as a body mass index (BMI) less than the 85th percentile for age
and gender. Overweight was defined as a BMI equal to or greater than the
85th percentile for age and gender. Nutritional intake was assessed with
a 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire.
Weight Loss Study Results
There was a two-fold increase in smoking among normal-weight adolescent
girls who reported trying to lose weight (23.7 percent vs. 12.6 percent).
In contrast, prevalence of smoking was similar among overweight adolescent
girls who tried to lose weight compared to those who did not (15.8 percent
vs. 14.1 percent). Similar trends were observed in boys. However, overweight
boys who were trying to lose weight were less likely to smoke than overweight
boys who were not trying to lose weight (9.8 percent vs. 24.5 percent).
There were no differences in body weight, BMI, caloric intake or fat intake
among smokers and non-smokers. However, smokers reported eating less fruit
and vegetables compared to non-smokers, and were over five times more
likely to drink alcohol compared to non-smokers.
Weight Loss Study Conclusion
Tobacco use is common among normal weight adolescents trying to lose weight.
Tobacco use is also associated with a cluster of other unhealthy dietary
practices in adolescents.
Source: International Journal of Obesity
(2001)
Obesity Help
|
com