Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors according to the Status of Combustible Cigarette and Noncombustible Nicotine or Tobacco Product Use among Korean Adolescents with Experience Attempting to Reduce or Maintain Their Body Weight: The 15th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2019

Abstract

Background: Noncombustible nicotine or tobacco product (NNTP) use, and cigarette smoking are associated with a high likelihood of unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) among adolescents. However, no study has addressed the differences in UWCBs among non-users, single users of combustible cigarettes (CCs) or NNTPs and dual users. This study compared the frequencies of weight control behaviors according to the status of CC and NNTP use among Korean adolescents.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 25,094 adolescents who had attempted to reduce or maintain their body weight during the past 30 days, using data from the 15th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2019. Data on the status of CC and NNTP use, weight status, and weight control behaviors were obtained using self-report questionnaires. Subjects were categorized into four groups: non-users, cigarette-only users, NNTP-only users, and dual users.

Results: Among boys and girls, current smokers and NNTP users were 8.9%±0.3% and 5.5%±0.3%, and 4.2%±0.2% and 1.7%±0.1%, respectively. Among boys, NNTP-only users were more likely to engage in extreme weight control behaviors than non-users. Among girls, users of either CCs or NNTPs were more likely to engage in extreme weight control behaviors and less extreme weight control behaviors than non-users.

Conclusion: This study shows that users of either CCs or NNTPs are more likely to engage in UWCBs, and NNTP-only users are the most likely to do so.

Keywords: Adolescent Behavior; Cigarette Smoking; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Korea; Problem Behavior; Weight Loss.

Figure. 1.

Odds ratio^† of noncombustible nicotine or tobacco product (NNTP)-only users and dual users on less extreme weight control behaviors (LWCBs)^‡ and extreme weight control behaviors (EWCBs)^§ using cigarette-only users as the reference. Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. *P<0.05 (by logistic regression analysis). ^†Adjusted by grade in school, weight status, body shape perception, depressive mood, current alcohol intake, living with family, perceived economic status, and residential district. ^‡LWCBs include one-food diet, fasting, dietary supplements, and Korean herbal medicine. ^§EWCBs include prescription dietpills, nonprescription diet-pills, laxatives or diuretics, and vomiting after meals.