Weight control smoking among young women: Depression, dieting, self-esteem, and body image

Despite education and prevention efforts, there was a rise in smoking prevalence among girls and young women during the 1990's (Surgeon General's Report, 2001). In comparison to boys, women in this age group are more likely to believe that smoking controls weight and are more likely to initiate smoking for this reason (Camp et al., 1993). One hundred and thirty-six undergraduate women between the ages of 18 and 23 completed self-report measures of body image, self-esteem, dieting behavior, and depression. Results indicate that female smokers were more depressed and less satisfied with their bodies than nonsmokers. Smoking for weight control was significantly correlated with dieting, body dissatisfaction, number of quit attempts, number of pounds gained in previous quit attempts, the use of multiple weight control strategies, and reported weight.