Cessation-related weight concern among homeless male and female smokers

Determinants of smoking related weight-concern in smokers participating in a community-based cessation program

BACKGROUND

Concern about weight gain is a barrier to smoking-cessation, but determinants of postcessation weight-concern have not been comprehensively assessed in the context of community-based cessation programs.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis used baseline data from a cessation trial of 392 adults randomized to physical activity (PA) or general wellness counseling as adjunctive treatment for smoking. Outcomes were 1) smoking behaviors to control weight and 2) anticipating relapse due to weight gain. Independent variables were PA and perceptions, sociodemographics, psychosocial measures, smoking behavior and perceptions, diet, and BMI. From bivariable models examining main and sex interaction effects, significant variables were entered into a linear (control) or logistic (relapse) regression model to identify key determinants.

RESULTS

For both measures, weight-concern was greater (p < .05) for female smokers (standardized b = 0.52, SE = 0.10; OR = 0.29, 95 % CI = 0.17-0.49), White (b = 0.12, SE = 0.05; OR = 0.39, 95 % CI = 0.23-0.66), and less motivated to quit (b = -0.14, SE = 0.05; OR = 0.77, 95 % CI = 0.59-1.0). Higher scores for smoking to control weight were associated with less PA (b = -0.10, SE = 0.05) and higher BMI (b = 0.21, SE = 0.05). For men, higher BMI was associated with greater anticipation of relapse (OR = 2.54, 95 % CI = 1.42-4.56).

CONCLUSIONS

Among adults attempting cessation, women, White smokers, and those less motivated to quit were more likely to smoke for weight control and to relapse due to weight gain. Higher BMI was associated with greater anticipation of relapse for men, but not women. Weight-concerns, for both measures, were not related to smoking history, psychosocial functioning, PA engagement or attitudes, or dietary variables. Results suggest potential cessation intervention targets for weight-concerned smokers.

Why women continue to smoke during pregnancy: a qualitative study among smoking pregnant women

Smoking during pregnancy is a serious public health concern due to its adverse consequences on fetal development and pregnant women's health. For the success of smoking cessation interventions, it is essential to determine why pregnant women continue smoking. The objective of this study is to determine the beliefs, attitudes, and barriers to quitting smoking during pregnancy. We adopted a qualitative research design. The participants consisted of 22 pregnant women who smoke, selected by purposive sampling. We collected data through semi-structured interviews and analyzed it using thematic analysis. We identified six themes namely "Reasons for starting to smoke: family and social environment," "Intention to quit smoking and related factors," "Smoking and emotional well-being," "Smoking and stressful life experiences," "Protective thoughts: reducing smoking to safeguard their babies," and "Belief in a healthy pregnancy and inadequate risk perception." Women expressed the desire to protect their fetus from the harm of smoking. However, they continued to smoke due to a lack of knowledge, inadequate risk perception, psychological difficulties, and lack of motivation. Health professionals should be aware of the difficulties experienced by pregnant women who smoke and should support them in quitting smoking.

Body Mass Index Changes Associated with Smoking are Moderated by Race and Depression

Smoking and obesity relate to several leading causes of death in the U.S. and are common within the criminal justice system. Previous studies demonstrate links between smoking, obesity, depression, and race but have not examined all four variables together. The current study evaluated these relationships after a smoking cessation intervention. Participants (N=500) were recruited from community corrections. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) measured depression. Self-reported number of cigarettes and weight and height measurements assessed smoking status and body mass index (BMI) at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Depression was associated with increased BMI. Among Blacks without depression, there was a significant relationship between smoking and BMI, such that greater smoking reduction was associated with greater weight gain. This is the first study to assess the interaction between race, smoking, BMI and depression. These findings support tailoring smoking cessation and depression interventions for different races.

Weight concerns as a predictor of smoking cessation according to nicotine dependence: A population-based study

Background:

Nicotine-dependent smokers find it difficult to quit smoking. Additionally, smoking-specific weight concerns may affect smoking cessation although the evidence is controversial. We investigated whether smoking-specific weight concerns predict the probability of cessation and, if so, whether the effect varies according to the level of nicotine dependence.

Methods:

The study was conducted with a population-based sample of 355 adult daily smokers who participated in the baseline examination in 2007 and in the 2014 follow-up. Baseline nicotine dependence was classified as low or high (Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence; 0–3 vs. 4–10 points). Within these groups, we examined whether baseline weight concerns predict smoking status (daily, occasional, ex-smoker) at follow-up by using multinomial logistic regression with adjustment for multiple covariates.

Results:

Among low-dependent participants at baseline, 28.5% had quit smoking, while among highly dependent participants 26.1% had quit smoking. The interaction between weight concerns and nicotine dependence on follow-up smoking status was significant. Among participants with low nicotine dependence per the fully adjusted model, greater weight concerns predicted a lower likelihood of both smoking cessation (relative risk ratio 0.93 [95% CI 0.87–1.00]) and smoking reduction to occasional occurrence (0.89 [95% CI 0.81–0.98]). Weight concerns were not associated with follow-up smoking status among participants with high nicotine dependence.

Conclusions:

Weight concerns are associated with a smaller likelihood of quitting among smokers with low nicotine dependence. Weight concerns should be addressed in smoking cessation interventions, especially with smokers who have low nicotine dependence.