WEIGHT CONCERNS, DIETING BEHAVIOR, AND SMOKING INITIATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Students (n = 1705) in grades 7 through 10 were surveyed at baseline a nd 1 year later about their weight concerns, dieting behaviors, and sm oking behavior. Three of six weight concerns and dieting behaviors ass essed at baseline were prospectively related to smoking initiation in girls (trying to lose weight, eating disorder symptoms, constant thoug hts about weight). Four of six weight concerns and dieting behaviors w ere cross-sectionally related to current smoking at baseline in girls (trying to lose weight, eating disorder symptoms, fear of weight gain, desire to be thin). Weight concerns and dieting behaviors were largel y unrelated to current smoking in boys. Implications for smoking preve ntion efforts are discussed.