Relationship between smoking and weight control efforts among adults in the United States

Background: The effect of weight control concerns on smoking among adults i s unclear. We examined the association between smoking behavior and weight control efforts among US adults. Methods: A total of 17317 adults responded to the Year 2000 Supplement of t he 1995 National Health Interview Survey (83% combined response rate). Resp ondents provided sociodemographic and health information, including their s moking history and whether they were trying to lose weight, maintain weight , or gain weight. Results: Rates of smoking were lower among adults who were trying to lose o r maintain weight than among those not trying to control weight (25% vs 31% ; P<.001). After adjustment for sex, race, education, income, marital statu s, region of the country, and body mass index, the relationship between try ing to lose weight and current smoking varied according to age. Among adult s younger than 30 years, those trying to lose weight were more likely to sm oke currently (odds ratio, 1.36 [95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.70]),where as older adults trying to lose weight were as likely or less likely to smok e compared with adults not trying to control weight. After adjustment, smok ers of all ages who were trying to lose weight were more likely to express a desire to quit smoking. Results were similar after stratification by sex and body mass index. Conclusions: Adults younger than 30 years are more likely to smoke if they are trying to lose weight. However, smokers of all ages who are trying to l ose weight are more likely to want to stop smoking. Patients' weight contro l efforts should not discourage clinicians from counseling about smoking ce ssation. Education about smoking and healthy weight control methods should target young adults.