Associations between unhealthy dieting behaviors and tobacco use among adolescents

Abstract

BackgroundCigarette smoking is an important risk factor for unhealthy dieting behaviors (UDBs) in youth. The role of alternative tobacco products and UDB engagement has yet to be examined empirically despite concerning trends in use. This study aimed to examine UDB prevalence in a U.S. geographic region-specific adolescent sample and associations with a variety of tobacco use behaviors and perceptions.MethodsWeighted data from the 2013 Virginia Youth Survey were analyzed (n = 6903). UDBs assessed included past 30-day fasting, diet pill use, and vomiting/laxative use. Tobacco-related items were ever and past 30-day cigarette smoking, past 30-day smokeless tobacco and cigar use, and the perception that smokers have more friends. UDB prevalence was recoded by the number of behaviors endorsed (0, 1, and 2+). Bivariate and multinomial regression models were used to examine associations between covariates and number of UDBs endorsed by gender.ResultsOverall, nearly 16% engaged in at least one UDB. Fasting was most prevalent (14.2%) followed by vomiting/laxative (7.0%) and diet pill use (6.1%). Across gender, ever cigarette smoking, past 30-day cigar use, and the perception that smokers have more friends were positively associated with UDB engagement in relative isolation as well as in combination.ConclusionsFindings highlight the importance of tobacco-related factors for weight control behaviors and are the first to identify an association between UDB incidence and an alternative tobacco product, cigars. This work should inform prevention efforts for tobacco use and UDBs and underscores the need to address the use of any tobacco for weight control.

Patterns and Correlates of Tobacco and Cannabis co-use by Tobacco Product Type: Findings from the Virginia Youth Survey

“…A secondary data analysis was conducted using publicly available, de-identified data of 6935 high school students aged 12 or older from the 2013 Virginia Youth Survey (VYS; Virginia Department of Health, 2016; see Jones, Wiseman, & Kharitonova, 2016; Nasim, Blank, Berry, & Eissenberg, 2012; Sutter, Nasim, Veldheer, & Cobb, 2016) for other representative publications using this dataset mechanism). A two-stage cluster sample design was used to obtain a representative student sample in grades 9–12.…”

Health inequalities in Brazilian adolescents: Measuring and mapping gaps in a cross‐sectional school‐based survey

“…However, unhealthy lifestyles are increasingly prevalent among adolescents, leading to negative consequences on their health over time 3,4 . Unhealthy behaviors such as insufficient physical activity, prolonged screen time use, 5 unhealthy diet, alcohol and tobacco consumption, 6,7 sleeping problems, 8 drug use, 9 and unsafe sex 10 are all associated with adverse health outcomes. As some of these behaviors are interrelated and could drive further psychosocial problems, 11 studying them from a holistic perspective might be relevant, attempting to understand adolescents' behaviors as a whole.…”

Unhealthy eating and weight dissatisfaction in adolescents who never, occasionally, or regularly use smokeless tobacco (Swedish snus)

“…Sutter et al (2016) found that extreme dieting behaviors (e.g., fasting, vomiting, laxatives or diet pills, liquids, powders) were proportionally more frequent among 12-to 18-year-old smokeless tobacco users, yet the study investigated a heterogeneous and broader range of SLT products (e.g., dip, chewing tobacco), making it difficult to specify conclusions. Sutter et al (2016) found that extreme dieting behaviors (e.g., fasting, vomiting, laxatives or diet pills, liquids, powders) were proportionally more frequent among 12-to 18-year-old smokeless tobacco users, yet the study investigated a heterogeneous and broader range of SLT products (e.g., dip, chewing tobacco), making it difficult to specify conclusions.…”

“…Very few studies have investigated the associations between SLT use, disordered eating, and weight concerns. Sutter et al (2016) found that extreme dieting behaviors (e.g., fasting, vomiting, laxatives or diet pills, liquids, powders) were proportionally more frequent among 12-to 18-year-old smokeless tobacco users, yet the study investigated a heterogeneous and broader range of SLT products (e.g., dip, chewing tobacco), making it difficult to specify conclusions. Root et al (2010) investigated patterns of comorbidity of ED and substance use behaviors in the Swedish Twin Registry.…”