Objective: To examine the relationship between pre-pregnancy weight and body image concerns and smoking status in late pregnancy. Methods: Participants included 172 pregnant smokers. Pre-pregnancy weight and body image concerns were assessed during first trimester via the Weight Concern Scale and Body Image Concern Inventory. Smoking status was evaluated at third trimester via self-report. Results: Logistic regression analyses revealed that weight concerns played a significant role in smoking continuation in late pregnancy. Conclusions: Beliefs about weight control properties of cigarettes may play an important role in smoking continuation among pregnant women. These findings suggest assessing weight concerns with pregnant women who smoke in an effort to facilitate successful cessation.

Objective: To examine the relationship between pre-pregnancy weight and body image concerns and smoking status in late pregnancy. Methods: Participants included 172 pregnant smokers. Pre-pregnancy weight and body image concerns were assessed during first trimester via the Weight Concern Scale and Body Image Concern Inventory. Smoking status was evaluated at third trimester via self-report. Results: Logistic regression analyses revealed that weight concerns played a significant role in smoking continuation in late pregnancy. Conclusions: Beliefs about weight control properties of cigarettes may play an important role in smoking continuation among pregnant women. These findings suggest assessing weight concerns with pregnant women who smoke in an effort to facilitate successful cessation.

The main goal of this study is to examine the relationship between weight control expectancies, weight concerns, smoking rate and perceived likelihood of smoking in the future among Spanish adolescents. Specifically, I intend to explore the potential moderator role of weight concerns on the relationship between weight control expectancies and smoking rate, as well as between weight concern and perceived likelihood of smoking in the future. Additionally, I want to investigate the possible meditational role of weight control expectancies on the relationship between weight concerns and smoking rate and likelihood of smoking in the future, respectively. The participants were 311 Spanish adolescents (M = 15.20; SD = 1.63; 174 female and 137 male) from schools in Alicante, Spain. The students completed questionnaires regarding smoking history and status. They also responded to questions regarding smoking expectancies and weigh concerns. Results suggested differences between smokers and nonsmokers in weight control expectancies and fear of fatness regardless of gender. The moderator model of weight concerns was not supported by findings. The results prove the meditational role of weight control expectancies on the relationship between fear of fatness and smoking rate, as well as between fear of fatness and perceived likelihood of smoking in the future. Implications, directions for future research and limitations of the study are discussed.

Introduction: Smoking is often used as a maladaptive weight control strategy among college-age females who have increased weight concerns. Many perceived benefits accrued from smoking including enhanced mood, reduced anxiety, and weight control can also be achieved through physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a novel behavioral task (body-image exposure task) that was designed to elicit weight concerns on urge to smoke among college-age female smokers who vary in levels of physical activity. Methods: Using a cue-reactivity paradigm, 16 sedentary and 21 physically active college-age female smokers were exposed to a pilot tested body-image exposure session. Self-reported urge and smoking topography variables were obtained before and after the exposure session along with measures of body dissatisfaction, positive and negative affect, and physical-appearance related anxiety at the two time-points. Results: Paired sample t-test showed significant increases in self-reported urge (p <.01) and quicker latency to first puff (p <.01) at post test for the entire sample. Significant differences were not seen in the other topography variables of puff duration, puff number, and inter-puff interval. Results of partial correlation indicated lower self-reported urge at post-test was associated with increased time engaging vigorous intensity physical activity (r =-0.44 ; p =.01). However, association between latency to first puff and physical activity was not significant (r=-.10; p=.62). The body-image exposure session also significantly increased body dissatisfaction (p < .01), and anxiety related to physical appearance (p < .01) while lowering positive affect at post-test (p <.01). Baseline measures of depressive symptoms were significantly associated with increased self-reported urge at post-test (r= .59, p = .03) urge though this relationship was not significant after controlling for vigorous intensity of physical activity (r = .33; p = .07) showing the potential protective effects of physical activity on smoking urges. Conclusion: These results suggest that physical activity can be protective of smoking urges in a situation that increases weight concerns among young women and emphasizes the need to incorporate physical activity components along with cognitive behavioral therapy in tailoring smoking cessation interventions in this population. Future research should continue to explore effects of physical activity on reactivity to body-cues and explore variability in cue-reactivity as a result of physical activity. / Kinesiology

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death, and smoking during pregnancy can lead to significant health complications for both the mother and developing child. In the Appalachian region of East Tennessee, pregnancy smoking rates are as high as 40% in some counties which is almost 4 times the national average. Weight and body image concerns have previously been identified as variables contributing to maintenance of smoking behavior. The current study was designed to examine the relationship between prepregnancy weight and body image concerns and smoking status at third trimester. Participants included 172 pregnant women who smoke. Women were recruited via Ob/GYN and Family Practice offices throughout East Tennessee and participating in the research arm of the Tennessee Intervention for Pregnant Smokers. Prepregnancy weight and body image concerns were assessed during first trimester via the Weight Concern Scale and Body Image Concern Inventory. Smoking status was collected at third trimester via self-report. At third trimester, 20% of participants reporting quitting since their first trimester visit. Logistic regression analyses revealed that education and weight concerns played a significant role in whether women chose to quit during pregnancy. Women with higher education were less likely to continue smoking (OR=.601, 95% CI .43-83, p=.003) and women reporting higher weight concerns were more likely to continue smoking (OR=1.67, 95% CI 1.23-2.27, p=.001). Beliefs about the weight control properties of cigarettes may play an important role in the decision to continue to smoke. These findings suggest the importance of assessing weight concerns and discussing weight gain with pregnant women who smoke in an effort to facilitate successful cessation.

Introduction: According to a national survey, 10-17 years old with any parent born outside the US have a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) than children with parent(s) born in the US. Therefore, children of Black immigrant parents living in the US are at elevated risk of being overweight or obese, thus increasing their risks of morbidity and mortality as they age. Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's nutrition through their food parenting practices, defined as behaviors or actions that affect the child's dietary habits. The aim of this study was to examine food parenting practices among a sample of Black immigrant mothers living in Metro Atlanta using a modified Comprehensive Home Environment Survey (CHES). Methods: Black immigrant mothers with children 2-19 years old were primarily recruited via social media, and 103 of them completed the 44-questions CHES. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and linear regression analyses were used to analyze the survey data in SPSS statistical analysis software. Results: Based on survey findings, mothers used all three food parenting practices, coercive control, structure, and autonomy support or promotion. However, they used structure the most, in feeding their children, which directly influence mothers’ reports of their children’s dietary behavior and habits. Furthermore, education, income, age of migration, mother’s concern for child’s weight, and child’s sex were significantly associated with the participants’ food parenting practices. Specifically, mothers with more income, more education, or who migrated before age 14 were more likely to have better meals and snack routines and healthy food available and accessible. Also, female children were more likely to be involved in meal planning compared to male children, and mothers who migrated at age 14 or older were more likely to model unhealthy food behaviors. Conclusion: The results of this study provide a baseline for the food parenting practices of Black immigrant mothers in the US and important factors (i.e., income, education, and age of migration) that influence their children’s dietary behavior. These findings can help inform diet-related disease prevention efforts in children like this Black immigrant population.

Introduction: Children of Black immigrant parents living in the US are at elevated risk of being overweight or obese, thus increasing their risks of morbidity and mortality as they age. Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's nutrition through their food parenting practices, defined as behaviors or actions that affect the child's dietary habits. Three aims guided this study: (1) To examine food parenting practices among a sample of Black immigrant mothers living in Metro Atlanta using a modified Comprehensive Home Environment Survey (CHES); (2) To assess maternal knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, acculturation, and modeling in relation to food parenting practices among a sample of participants surveyed in Aim1 using focus groups; and (3) To refine the proposed Influences of Food Parenting Practices on BMI model (Model) using data collected in Aims 1 and 2. Methods: 103 Black immigrant mothers completed the CHES and 30 of them participated in four focus groups. Univariate, bivariate, and explanatory analysis was used for the survey data, and the qualitative data analysis was thematic. Results: Based on survey findings, mothers used structure the most in feeding their children, which directly influence mothers’ reports of their children’s dietary behavior and habits. Education, income, age of migration, mother’s concern for child’s weight, and child’s sex were significantly associated with the participants’ food parenting practices. Specifically, mothers with more income, more education, or who migrated before age 14 were more likely to have healthy food available and better meals routine. Focus group data analysis revealed seven major themes and six subthemes, where acculturation influenced mothers’ food parenting practices greatly. Since migrating to the US, some mothers’ nutrition changed in positive (e.g., eating more fruits) and negative ways (e.g., snacking more) because of schedules, cost, and access. Survey and focus group findings were instrumental in refining the Model by adding 5 new relationships to the proposed model. Conclusion: The results of this study provide a baseline for the food parenting practices of Black immigrant mothers in the US, and important factors (i.e., knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, acculturation, and sociodemographic) that influence their children’s dietary behavior.

The health and well-being of U.S. children is challenged by the immense crisis of obesity. The obesity proneness model, first described by Costanzo and Woody (1985), describes one mechanism by which parents influence obesity development. This model suggests that parents become concerned about their children's weight if their children show signs of becoming overweight and parents value weight highly. Parents communicate their concerns to their children and restrict their children's eating. Children internalize parents' concerns and become unable to regulate their eating. Hence, parents socialize children to be concerned about their weight but do not equip them to regulate eating, thus contributing to the development of obesity. Previous research has examined model components, primarily from parents' perspectives. This study examined the model from the adolescents' perspectives and employed structural equation modeling to test and refine a modified model and determine the best predictors of obesity among adolescents. The study was non-experimental in design, employing a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected as part of a modified Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) administered in Sarasota County, Florida, high schools during fall 2006. Models were tested and modified in a training sample, Sample A (N = 784); final models were cross-validated in a hold-out sample, Sample B (N = 749). Findings suggested that a refined model was plausible (χ²/df = 331.97/64, TLI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.07; χ²/df = 226/64, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.06, Samples A and B, respectively). Many paths were statistically significant; e.g., students who perceived mothers to be concerned about their weight were likely to think mothers perceived them as heavier, valued weight highly, had restrictive feeding practices, and made comments about their weight. Students with greater internalized concern about weight were likely to think mothers made comments about their weight and were heavier. Girls were more likely than boys to think mothers were concerned about their weight. Internalized concern about weight, but not inability to self-regulate eating, was predictive of weight status. Interventions addressing some of the model's constructs may provide a partial solution to problems of weight and inability to self-regulate eating behaviors.

We ran three MANOVAs in a sample of 422 young adults to examine differences in eating, shape, and weight concerns (i.e., ESW concerns) between gender diverse individuals, ciswomen, and cismen. Additionally, we examined the effects of self-esteem and sense of belonging on ESW concerns. We also tested for interaction (moderation) effects between gender and self-esteem and gender and sense of belonging. Findings indicated that gender diverse individuals experience ESW concerns at a significantly higher rate than cisgender men. There were no differences, however, in ESW concerns between gender diverse people and ciswomen. Self-esteem and sense of belonging significantly predicted ESW concerns, but no interaction effects were observed. Limitations of the current study include using one large gender diverse group rather than exploring each individual gender identity as well as limited recruitment. Future studies should recruit more participants across the gender spectrum in order to better understand the unique experiences of each gender group as it relates to eating, shape, and weight concerns and expand recruitment across broader regions of the United States.

Tobacco use is closely related to changes in body weight. Undesired weight gain following smoking cessation occurs in most patients. The mechanism responsible for changes in body weight post cessation are only partially understood. Several hypotheses have suggested a temporary increase in blood pressure following smoking cessation. In addition, weight concerns after quitting are common, and may affect tobacco dependence treatment outcomes. The aim of our study was to monitor changes in body weight, blood pressure, incretins and selected hormonal parameters among ex-smokers after three months of abstinence. We also examined factors associated with smoking-related weight concerns. We monitored and evaluated selected parameters (personal history, questionnaires, anthropometric, biochemical, hormonal) and compared before and after tobacco dependece treatment, if patients underwent such treatment. We found that smoking cessation was associated with weight gain. Smokers who were more tobacco dependent or more sedentary were at increased risk. The prevalence of diagnosis hypertension did not differ among non-smokers, former smokers and smokers adjusting for age and BMI. In the pilot phase of our study we demonstrated that three months of smoking abstinence was associated with an increase in serum leptin...