Cigarette Smoking Intentions and Obesity among High School Males

Bibliographic Data

ID13664409
AuthorsLarry A Tucker (0000-0003-4591-882X, New Mexico State University, corresponding author)
Year1983
Volume52
Issue2
Pages530-530
Publication date1983-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2466/pr0.1983.52.2.530
PMID6878549
OpenAlexW2028127565
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited1

Since cigarette smoking is the largest preventable cause of premature death, illness, and disability in America, national efforts to control and extinguish the behavior are expanding. Studies conducted to determine the etiology and correlates of smoking have identified demographic, psychological, lifestyle, and societal factors of significance, but there is still much to be learned about the habit (NIDA, 1979). The present investigation was conducred to determine the role of obesity and body structure as antecedents of smoking within a teenage population, where the habit tends to be initiated. Specifically, data from 400 high school males were analyzed by analysis of variance for unbalanced groups to determine if smoking intentions differ significantly among ectomorphs, mesomorphs, or endomorphs. Intentions were assessed using a strategy similar to that suggested by Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) and the Perceived Sornatotype Scale (Tucker, 1982) and Quetelet's index of body mass (Worthingcon-Roberts, 1981) were employed to measure somatotype. Results showed that smoking intentions differed significantly among subjects classified according to perceived somatotype (F2.20, = 5.59, p = .004). Endomorphs ( n = 51) averaged 15.29 ( S D = 8.33) on the intentions inventory, which was significantly higher than the mean of the mesomorphs ( n = 189), 13.02 ( S D = 6.68), and the mean of the ectomorphs (n = 157) , 11.97 (SD = 4.59). Similarly, smoking intentions differed significantly among subjects differentiated according to Quetelet's index (F2.391 = 3.39, p = .04). Relatively obese boys ( n = 54) averaged 15.0 ( S D = 7.71) on the measure of smoking intentions, which was significantly higher than the means of the moderately built subjects ( n = 240). 12.75 ( S D = 6.13) and the lean males ( n = 106),'12.36 ( S D = 6.10). Apparently, high school boys who are self-perceived endomorphs or relatively obese have significantly stronger intentions of smoking cigarettes than do their counterparts. It is plausible that this association is mediated by several factors, such as self-esteem, anxiety, and physical fitness, all of which are relared to both smoking and obesity. Moreover, since the behavior of students is functionally related to the general social positions they occupy, including the nerwork of interpersonal relationships in the social structure (NIDA, 1979), the significant cigarette smoking intentions/obesity association of this study may be a function of peer acceptance and social status

Body mass index · Cigarette smoking · Etiology · Obesity · Population · Psychiatry · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Demography · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Gerontology

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