Association Between Subjective Obesity Status and Smoking Behavior Among Normal-Weight Women

Smoking and obesity are chief causes of mortality, morbidity, and medical expenditure. However, few studies have investigated the linkage between subjective obesity status and smoking behavior. This study examines whether females in a normal body mass index range who perceive themselves as obese are...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health education & behavior 2018-06, Vol.45 (3), p.394-400
Main Author: Kim, Dae-Hwan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Age Differences
Behavior
Body Composition
Body mass
Body mass index
Body shape
Body size
Correlation
Evaluation Methods
Females
Foreign Countries
Health Behavior
Health Education
Health Promotion
Human Body
Incidence
Life Style
Matching
Morbidity
Mortality
National Surveys
Obesity
Perceptions
Propensity
Regression (Statistics)
Regression analysis
Scientific Concepts
Selection bias
Self Concept
Smoke
Smoking
Social welfare
Statistical Analysis
Varying Perspectives on Obesity
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Summary:Smoking and obesity are chief causes of mortality, morbidity, and medical expenditure. However, few studies have investigated the linkage between subjective obesity status and smoking behavior. This study examines whether females in a normal body mass index range who perceive themselves as obese are more likely to smoke than those who do not perceive themselves as obese. Stratifying by age-group, I employed the propensity score matching analysis to control for selection bias. Although body mass index is lower for younger females aged 20 to 39, they are more likely than elder females to consider themselves as obese. Based on a logistic regression, my findings show that younger females who perceive themselves as obese are 21.2% more likely to smoke than females who do not perceive themselves as obese. The positive relationship between perceived obesity status and smoking behavior is also found in the propensity score matching analysis. However, the disparity in smoking prevalence is not detected between elder females who perceive themselves as obese and those who do not. Public education that fosters accurate perception of body shape is imperative in inducing healthy lifestyles and improving social welfare.
ISSN:1090-1981
1552-6127
DOI:10.1177/1090198117728992