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.
['Tuovinen|Eeva-Liisa|EL|0000-0002-7476-9766', 'Saarni|Suoma E|SE|', 'Kinnunen|Taru H|TH|', 'Ollila|Hanna|H|', 'Ruokolainen|Otto|O|', 'Patja|Kristiina|K|', 'Männistö|Satu|S|', 'Jousilahti|Pekka|P|', 'Kaprio|Jaakko|J|0000-0002-3716-2455', 'Korhonen|Tellervo|T|']
weight concerns smoking cessation nicotine dependence