The Smoking-Related Weight and Eating Episodes Test (SWEET): Development and Preliminary Validation

Abstract

The SWEET appears to be a reliable and valid measure of tendencies to smoke in response to body image concern and nicotine withdrawal and as a way to control appetite and overeating.

Mindfulness Ameliorates the Relationship Between Weight Concerns and Smoking Behavior in Female Smokers: A Cross-sectional Investigation

“…The Smoking-related Weight and Eating Episodes Test (SWEET; Adams et al, 2011) is a 10-item self-report measure of smoking-specific weight concerns. The scale yields a total score as well as four subscale scores: 1) smoking to suppress appetite ( Appetite ; e.g., “When I feel hungry, I have a cigarette to curb my appetite”), 2) smoking to prevent overeating ( Overeating ; e.g., “Smoking after a meal helps me to avoid overeating”), 3) smoking to cope with body dissatisfaction ( Body Dissatisfaction ; e.g., “When I feel fat, I have a cigarette”), and 4) withdrawal-related appetite increases ( Withdrawal ; e.g., “I crave tasty foods when I haven’t smoked in a while”).…”

“…Preliminary validation of the SWEET indicated excellent internal consistency. Female smokers with higher scores on the SWEET tend to view smoking as a way to control weight, indicate elevated body dissatisfaction, and report greater concern about gaining weight upon smoking cessation (Adams et al, 2011). …”

“…As age, race/ethnicity, and BMI are additional factors related to smoking patterns and weight concerns among female smokers (Adams et al, 2011), these were entered as covariates on Step 1. The five FFMQ factors ( Observing , Describing , Acting with Awareness , Nonreactivity , and Nonjudging ) were entered on Step 2 in order to assess the unique contribution of each of these facets in predicting dependent variables.…”

“…Smoking-specific weight concerns (i.e., the tendency to use smoking as a way to control appetite and weight; concern about gaining weight upon smoking cessation) often predict higher smoking frequency, higher nicotine dependence, lower desire to quit smoking, and worse smoking cessation outcomes (Adams, Baillie, & Copeland, 2011; Clark et al, 2006; Copeland & Carney, 2003; Copeland, Martin, Geiselman, Rash, & Kendzor, 2006; Jeffery, Hennrikus, Lando, Murray, & Liu, 2000; Pomerleau et al, 2001; Weekley, Klesges, & Reylea, 1992). Thus, it is imperative for research to identify protective factors that might ameliorate the relationship between smoking-related weight concerns and smoking behavior, thereby improving smoking cessation among weight-concerned women.…”

Fear of fatness and drive for thinness in predicting smoking status in college women

“…Smokers may exhibit higher rates of eating pathology and body dissatisfaction than non-smokers (Kendzor, Adams, Stewart, Baillie, & Copeland, 2009), and those who smoke specifically to control weight and shape are especially likely to have higher levels of disordered eating (Fairweaither-Schimidt & Wade, 2014). Beliefs that smoking will help to control appetite and weight are associated with higher smoking frequency and nicotine dependence (Adams, Baillie, & Copeland, 2011; Copeland, Brandon, & Quinn, 1995; Copeland & Carney, 2003; Rash & Copeland, 2008). Furthermore, appetite and weight control beliefs about smoking have been found to mediate the relationship between dietary restriction and smoking among female college students (Copeland & Carney, 2003).…”