Body image evaluations in women smokers

While body image has been found to be an important predictor for several he alth behaviors (abnormal dieting, weight regain, exercise), only one study to date has examined body image attitudes in women smokers (Australian samp le) with results suggesting that women smokers feel less attractive than no nsmokers. The purpose of the present study was to compare body image in wom en smokers to normative samples of women. Subjects were 136 women (89.0% Wh ite. M age = 39.85, 74% employed, 52% married, body mass index [BMI] = 25.5 4) entering a randomized clinical smoking cessation trial. Subjects complet ed the Appearance Evaluation and Fitness Orientation subscales of the Multi dimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire and the Silhouette Choosing T ask. Pooled I-tests showed that subjects scored significantly lower on Appe arance Evaluation (t = -6.58, p < .01) and Fitness Orientation (t = -5.55, p < .01) than the normative sample. For the silhouette choosing task, the p resent sample reported a significantly higher current silhouette (t = 2.29, p < .05) and dissatisfaction score (t = 4.03, p < .01) than the comparativ e sample. There were no significant differences on the ideal or attraction scores. Results suggest that women smokers may be more dissatisfied with th eir bodies than women in general. Possible implications include that smokin g may adversely affect body image and/or body image concerns may negatively impact cessation attempts. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.