The female weight-control smoker: A profile

Abstract

Hypothesizing the existence of a subgroup of female smokers for whom nicotine masks, and abstinence unmasks, a tendency toward hyperphagia and perhaps even subthreshold disordered eating, we compared female "weight-control smokers" (WC; n = 46) and "non-weight-control smokers" (NWC; n = 52) on smoking- and eating-related variables. We also examined the relationship between weight-control smoking and withdrawal symptomatology during 48-hours of nicotine abstinence (n = 23). Although WC were not more depressed, anxious, or nicotine-dependent than NWC, they were significantly more likely to report weight gain and increased hunger during abstinence; they also scored higher on Cognitive Restraint and Disinhibition (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire). The expected correlation of cotinine with weight emerged for NWC but not for WC. Weight-control smoking correlated with increased eating during abstinence. Our findings suggest that WC use dietary restraint as well as smoking to manage weight, and that abstinence may precipitate episodes of disinhibited or binge eating. If WC overinclude women vulnerable to excess or unpredictable eating and consequently to substantial weight gain that can be managed by nicotine, highly focused treatment strategies may be helpful.

Interaction between Disinhibition and restraint: Implications for body weight and eating disturbance

“…However, the increased smoking behaviour of the HDHR women could also function as a weight control strategy. Copeland and Carney (39) and Pomerleau et al (40) both found that women with high Disinhibition and high Restraint scores reported higher expecta-tions of improved appetite and weight control from smoking than other groups.…”

Smoking status, cigarettes per day, and their relationship to overweight and obesity among former and current smokers in a national adult general population sample

“…26 Female smokers who score high on a scale of smoking as a weight control tool may be particularly susceptible to weight gain when staying abstinent. 27,28 Although female smokers seem to accept weight gain after quitting less than male smokers, 29 little is known about gender differences in the increase of BMI after smoking cessation from general population studies. 4 Altogether, evidence is conflicting, and there are different explanations of weight changes related to changes in smoking status.…”

Predictors of Adherence, Withdrawal Symptoms and Changes in Body Mass Index: Finding from the First Randomized Smoking Cessation Trial in a Low-income Country Setting

“…This is consistent with previous studies from high-income countries Pomerleau et al 1993;Weekley et al 1992). Evidence suggests that weight-control smokers have low efficacy in managing their food intake especially while dealing with negative emotions (Pinto et al, 1999).…”