Oral

This session examines the connections between tobacco use and weight in various populations. While public health interventions target smoking cessation, studies have shown that concerns about weight gain prevent quitting. Current research on the relationship between smoking cessation and obesity are restricted to smaller samples and lack generalizability. Views are controversial about the relationship between smoking and adolescents' weight control beliefs. While the initiation of cigarette use as a weight loss strategy has been studied in adolescent populations, there is a paucity of literature examining this weight loss strategy among college females who face unique pressures in the college environment to obtain an ideal body. 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.

Session Objectives: 1. Assess perceptions of tobacco as a weight control method. 2. Discuss the most common barriers to quitting smoking among obese smokers. 3. Explain the relationship between weight gain and smoking cessation. 4. Describe weight loss behaviors and risk for cigarette use among college females.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)