SUMMARY
This paper reviews the research data on weight concerns
and smoking behavior. Data are most consistent in White adolescent females. In this group, dieting and weight concerns are positively related both cross sectionally and prospectively to smoking. The number of studies, especially prospective, are limited, and many have methodologic limitations. However, given the pervasiveness of weight concerns and dieting in young women and the negative health effects of cigarette smoking, this area merits high research priority.
Such data would allow confirmation of weight concern as a risk factor for smoking initiation and examination of whetherhe relationship between the two is specific or whether both smoking and weight concern are part of a more general pattern of unhealthy behaviors. Additional data on weight concerns and smoking in populations with less overall weight consciousness might help clarify this issue (18). In addition, these results suggest that current smoking prevention interventions around weight concerns with adolescent females may be warranted.