262182 Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about smoking, quitting and weight gain: What obese smokers have to say

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 8:50 AM - 9:10 AM

Terry Bush, Phd , Clinical and Behavioral Sciences, Alere Wellbeing, Seattle, WA
Issues: Over nine million adults are obese and smoke, markedly increasing their mortality risk. Unfortunately, weight gain following cessation is common and is associated with an increased incidence of diabetes and hypertension. Obese smokers have lower quit rates and gain more weight after quitting but reasons for the poor outcomes are unknown. This study aims to understand obese smokers' thoughts about quitting and potential challenges. Description: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 obese smokers from state quitlines. An immersion/crystallization approach was used to analyze taped interviews using codes obtained through multiple iterations of coding templates. Lessons learned: Obese smokers' awareness of the associations of quitting, change in diet and change in weight was high. Although weight gain was often experienced in prior quit attempts, there was variability in level of weight concerns and the language used to discuss weight providing information for tailored messaging. Some would not tolerate any gain. Others would accept weight gain and made behavioral changes to minimize the expected gain. Opinions were often voiced in the context of satisfaction with their weight or body image. Other unique themes included the need and desire to quit smoking and challenges in obtaining this goal. Stress and chronic disease were cited as conditions most likely to impact cessation. Recommendations: Obese smokers may benefit from interventions providing support around stress reduction, chronic diseases and weight concerns. This study provides the first data of this kind and contributes to the evidence needed to inform treatment development for this high risk population.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Explain potential reasons why obese smokers may have lower quit rates than non-obese smokers Discuss some of the most common barriers to quitting smoking among obese smokers Formulate ideas for future interventions that may meet the needs of obese smokers Differentiate between general weight concerns, cessation related weight concerns and the values attached to these concerns in light of quitting smoking

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator on the study and have over 10 years experience conducting tobacco research within quitlines. I recently completed a randommized trial with quitline participants who were concerned with weight gain associated with smoking cessation.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Alere Wellbeing Tobacco research within a quitine setting Employment (includes retainer) and Stock Ownership

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.