Candidate: Tracey Barnett

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Sociology

Title: The Link Between Smoking and Body Weight among Adolescents

Committee:
Dr. Thomas Van Valey, Chair
Dr. David Hartmann
Dr. Subhash Sonnad
Dr. Alan Poling

Date: Monday, April 15, 2002, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
2520 Sangren Hall

Abstract:
Abstract:  Trends in smoking rates among adolescents indicate that white females generally smoke more than their adolescent counterparts, the only substance in which this occurs. Another trend that white females far outnumber any other adolescent group is with eating disorders. This study was conducted to assess the relationship between cigarette smoking and perception of weight among adolescents. A logistic regression model was constructed to test the relationship using the Adolescent Health Public Dataset. For females, there was a link between cigarette smoking and perception of overweight which was not found among the males. Similarly, white females had a significantly higher rate of smoking than non-white females. Understanding the reasons behind the trends is vital when developing policy or providing funding for stop smoking campaigns.            

Related Topics

Main List of Archives:
Dissertation Defenses

Current Dissertation Defenses