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.

Smoking status and abdominal obesity among normal- and overweight/obese adults: Population-based FINRISK study.

Several studies have reported direct associations of smoking with body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity. However, the interplay between them is poorly understood. Our first aim was to investigate the interaction between smoking status and BMI on abdominal obesity (waist circumference, WC). Our second aim was to examine how the association of smoking status with WC varies among normal and overweight/obese men and women. We examined 5833 participants from the National FINRISK 2007 Study. The interactions between smoking and BMI on WC were analyzed. Participants were categorized into eight groups according to BMI (normal weight vs. overweight/obese) and smoking status (never smoker, ex-smoker, occasional/light/moderate daily smoker, heavy daily smoker). The associations between each BMI/smoking status -group and WC were analyzed by multiple regressions, the normal-weight never smokers as the reference group. The smoking status by BMI-interaction on WC was significant for women, but not for men. Among the overweight/obese women, ex-smokers (ß = 2.73; 1.99, 3.46) and heavy daily smokers (ß = 4.90; 3.35, 6.44) had the highest estimates for WC when adjusted for age, BMI, alcohol consumption and physical activity. In comparison to never smoking overweight/obese women, the ß-coefficients of ex-smokers and heavy daily smokers were significantly higher. Among men and normal weight women the ß -coefficients did not significantly differ by smoking status. An interaction between smoking status and BMI on abdominal obesity was observed in women: overweight/obese heavy daily smokers were particularly vulnerable for abdominal obesity. This risk group should be targeted for cardiovascular disease prevention.

Associations of Weight Concerns With Self-Efficacy and Motivation to Quit Smoking: A Population-Based Study Among Finnish Daily Smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Concerns about weight gain occurring after smoking cessation may affect motivation and self-efficacy towards quitting smoking. We examined associations of smoking-specific weight concerns with smoking cessation motivation and self-efficacy in a population-based cross-sectional sample of daily smokers. METHODS: Six-hundred biochemically verified (blood cotinine) current daily smokers comprising 318 men and 282 women aged 25-74 years, were studied as part of the National FINRISK (Finnish Population Survey on Risk Factors on Chronic, Noncommunicable Diseases) study and its DIetary, Lifestyle and Genetic factors in the development of Obesity and Metabolic syndrome (DILGOM) sub-study that was conducted in Finland in 2007. Self-reported scales were used to assess weight concerns, motivation and self-efficacy regarding the cessation of smoking. Multiple regression analyses of concerns about weight in relation to motivation and self-efficacy were conducted with adjustments for sex, age (years), body mass index (BMI, [kg/m(2)]), physical activity (times per week), and further controlled for nicotine dependence (Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence). RESULTS: Higher levels of weight concerns were associated with lower self-efficacy (ß = -0.07, p < .001) after adjusting for sex and age. The association remained after additional adjustment for BMI and physical activity (ß = -0.07, p < .001). After further controlling for nicotine dependence the association became weaker but remained significant (ß = -0.04, p = .02). There were no statistically significant associations between concerns about weight and motivation for smoking cessation (ß = 0.02, p = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: These cross-sectional population-based data do not support earlier findings that suggest that smokers with high levels of weight concerns are less motivated to quit smoking. Our data suggest that daily smokers who are highly concerned about weight may have lower self-efficacy for cessation of smoking.

Weight concerns among Finnish ever-smokers: a population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: Concern over weight gain after smoking cessation has been hypothesized to discourage quit attempts and consequently reduce smoking cessation rates. The aim of this study was to examine the association between smoking status and weight concerns among a population-based sample of Finnish ever-smokers. METHODS: Data were collected in conjunction with the National FINRISK 2007 Study from a population-based sample of 25- to 74-yearold Finns. These analyses were based on a subsample of 1,614 ever-smokers. Participants were divided into 4 groups (daily smokers, occasional smokers, recent quitters, and former smokers) based on the self-reported smoking status. Weight concerns were analyzed as a sum score including 6 items (range 0-24). Regression analyses were used to examine the association between smoking status and weight concerns, while adjusting for multiple confounders. RESULTS: Smoking status was significantly associated with weight concerns, current daily smokers reporting the highest levels of weight concerns. After adjusting for potential confounders (age, gender, body mass index, socioeconomic status, and health behavior), the weight concerns of daily smokers remained significantly higher in comparison with all other groups. Although women were more concerned about their weight than men, no gender-specific associations were found between weight concerns and smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: Current daily smokers are more concerned about their weight than recent quitters, as well as former and occasional smokers. Weight concerns should be taken into account in tobacco dependence treatment.