BMI as a moderator of the relationship between stigmatizing attitudes and smoking: An exploratory study

ABSTRACT

Background

Individuals who smoke report higher body dissatisfaction and engage in weight control smoking more than the general population. The effects that stigmatizing weight-related attitudes and body mass index have on smoking remain unclear.

Methods

Via an online survey, this exploratory study examined whether endorsing anti-fat attitudes is associated with higher smoking frequency with BMI as a moderator. Participants were recruited via posts on a social news and discussion website, as well as a subject pool from a U.S. university. The sample consisted of 118 participants (62.5% female; M_age = 24.19, SD = 6.73). The Anti-Fat Attitudes Test was used to measure anti-fat beliefs. BMI and monthly smoking frequency were also measured. Multiple regression analyses were used to test the relationship between anti-fat attitudes and smoking frequency with BMI as a moderator.

Results

Although anti-fat attitudes overall were not associated with smoking frequency, the interaction between anti-fat attitudes specific to weight control and blame and BMI was significantly associated with smoking frequency.

Conclusion

Individuals with average or lower BMIs who attribute weight status to a lack of willpower and self-control may smoke at higher rates. Addressing specific forms of anti-fat beliefs in smoking prevention and cessation programs may help mitigate smoking-related risks.

KEYWORDS:

• Smoking
• tobacco
• stigmatization
• body mass index
• anti-fat attitudes

Acknowledgments

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors do not have any additional acknowledgments to provide.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.