No abstract

Examines the influence of situational characteristics and coping on the outcome of a relapse crisis for 232 Ss followed for 1 month after a self-initiated smoking cessation attempt. Survival of a relapse crisis was most strongly related to the number of coping strategies used. All coping strategies were equally effective; furthermore, combining cognitive and behavioral coping strategies was not more effective than using multiple cognitive or multiple behavioral strategies. During the second half of the follow-up period (Weeks 3 and 4 postcessation), the presence of smokers resulted in a decreased likelihood of coping and an increased likelihood of smoking. In addition, active coping was marginally related to higher baseline levels of motivation to quit. When motivation and the presence of smokers were controlled, however, coping still significantly predicted outcome. Results are discussed with reference to previous relapse studies.

Studies have indicated that although smokers weigh less than nonsmokers, smokers have greater waist-to-hip circumference ratios after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI). The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether factors associated with smoking, such as dietary intake, alcohol intake, and physical activity, modified or confounded the relationship between smoking and body fat distribution. The study used cross-sectional data for 765 men aged 43-85 y from the Normative Aging Study. Current smokers were found to have a greater amount of central adiposity, as represented by the abdomen-to-hip circumference ratio (abdomen-hip ratio), than did former smokers and people who never smoked after adjustment for age, BMI, dietary and alcohol intakes, and physical activity. Multiple-linear-regression analysis revealed that physical activity was negatively associated with and alcohol intake was positively associated with the abdomen-hip ratio. These results suggest a direct effect of smoking on body fat distribution, independent of other smoking-related behaviors.