The relationship between body weight perceptions, weight control behaviours and smoking status among adolescents

Objectives: This paper examines the relation between body weight perceptions, weight control behaviours and smoking status among a representative sample of Ontario students. Methods: Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between smoking status and perception of being overweight, and between smoking status and specific weight control behaviours. Results: Among females, the odds of being a smoker were significantly higher among those who perceived themselves to be overweight and who had employed weight control behaviours in the last 12 months. Among males, the adjusted odds of being a smoker was higher only among those who skipped meals in the past 12 months. Conclusions: Body weight perceptions and the use of weight control behaviours were significantly associated with predictors of smoking among adolescent females. This suggests a need to incorporate discussion on body weight perception and body image in smoking prevention and cessation programs targeted toward adolescent females.