Smoking and pursuit of thinness in schoolgirls in London and Ottawa

Abstract

further defence against weight gain when overeating had occurred. These associations existed alongside the major and predictable association found between alcohol consumption and smoking. Similarities between the British and Canadian schoolgirls were striking in respect of rank order of reasons given for smoking and consequences of giving it up. Since smoking amongst older women is reportedly associated with below-average body weight it may indeed be effective in helping to curb weight gain. Our study provided little evidence of association between smoking and generalised anxiety or social anxiety (in either population), or depression (in the British cohort). We suggest that any preventive psychological approach to teenage female smoking should include attention to weight gain anxiety and consequent pursuit of thinness.

Smoking and weight loss attempts in overweight and normal-weight adolescents

“…17 Therefore, this study confirms the clustering of adolescent smoking with adverse health and dietary behaviors which has been previously described. 18,19 Previous studies have demonstrated that almost 40% of adolescents believe that smoking can help control their weight.…”

1.6. Death, survival and recovery in anorexia nervosa: a thirty five year study

“…Clinicians may also agree that death from terminal malnutrition and/or profound electrolyte and fluid balance disorders in anorexia nervosa is often accompanied at the least by loss of any will to survive. Two deaths from cancer of the lung and one from emphysema recorded within the overall 1960-1995 population, probably reflect previous heavy sustained cigarette smoking as a defence against eating that can come to characterise anorexia nervosa (Crisp et al, 1998). Males in this study were slightly more likely to have died than females, though they were no more severely ill at presentation (Crisp & Burns, 1983).…”

1.3. Food intake in anorexia nervosa: patterns reported over a 25‐year period, 1967–1992

“…This aim to slim by such means, albeit less drastically, is common amongst teenage females who, nevertheless, usually remain significantly heavier/fatter than they would wish (Crisp et al, 1998). The anorectic 'succeeds'.…”