Many Teens Light Up In Effort to Lose Weight

A recent study published in the Health Economics journal identified an increasing number of teenagers who are engaging in smoking behaviors in effort to lose weight. This troubling trend raises concern, not only about drug use tendencies, but also about the increase in weight loss concerns and body image dissatisfaction among adolescents and teenagers.

In this study, research surveyed over 10,000 teenagers between the ages of 11 and 16 years. From the data collected, researchers identified that among frequent smokers, approximately 46% of female participants and 30% of male participants acknowledged that weight control was one of the main reasons for smoking [1].

Connection Between Weight Loss and Drug Use

These statistics identify the measures that teenagers are willing to go in effort to lose weight or reach a desirable body, those these efforts are often futile. Some teenagers may feel that smoking helps curb appetite, or that smoking in place of eating will help decrease weight. The connection identified in this study also sheds light on reasoning for teenage drug use – going beyond peer pressure or addiction habits.

In response to the findings of this research, study author, John Cawley, noted, “This helps us better understand why people choose to engage in risky health behaviors. It’s not always just about the immediate pleasure or enjoyment; sometimes it’s a means to another end.” This is indeed reflective in the study’s findings, where female participants in the study identified themselves as “much too fat” were nearly 225 percent more likely to smoke to lose weight compared to female teens who felt their weight was normal.

Identifying Co-Occurring Disorders

Teenage drug use, including alcohol and cigarette smoke, can increase the risk of continued substance abuse into adulthood. Understanding the incentive that triggers some teens to engage in cigarette smoking can be helpful in both interventions and treatment.

Weight loss measures taken to an extreme can potentially trigger disordered eating behaviors, which can lead to co-occurring issues involving drug use. Early identification is always helpful in both treating these issues in adolescents and teenagers. Parents and professionals alike can be key figures for engaging with their teens and helping identify problematic issues involving drug use.

Community Discussion – Share Your Thoughts Here!

What do you think are effective measures to help prevent teenage smoking for weight loss?

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About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Director of Content and Social Media for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.

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References:

[1]: Cornell University, “Teens who feel ‘too fat’ light up cigarettes to slim down”, http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2016/10/teens-who-feel-too-fat-light-cigarettes-slim-down

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 26, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com