Weight Misperception and Cigarette Smoking among Healthy Weight Adolescents in the U. S: NHANES 2005–2014

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between cigarette smoking and body perception across measured body weight among adolescents aged 12–19 years, using 2005–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Adjustment showed that normal weight girls who perceived themselves as overweight had a significantly higher smoking prevalence ratio of 2.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22–3.40). The prevalence of cigarette smoking and weight misperceptions among adolescent girls indicates a need for topics addressing body perception and body image among students to be included in smoking prevention programs in schools. In addition, factors that shape adolescent girls’ perception of body weight should be examined.

Keywords:

• Adolescence
• body image
• cigarette smoking
• weight perception

Acknowledgments

The NHANES has been developed and funded by multiple federal agencies and operated by the National Center for Health Statistics. The field work was conducted by Westat, Inc. under contract to the National Center for Health Statistics. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).