Nicotine use and weight control in young people: Implications for prevention and early intervention

Tobacco use frequently starts during adolescence, so understanding factors that drive the initiation and development of tobacco use over this developmental period is crucial in the development of responsive prevention and early intervention programs and policies. In this chapter, we explore the role that weight concerns have in the development and maintenance of tobacco use. We review longitudinal and prevention-oriented research on the association of tobacco use and weight control ideation, the epidemiology of tobacco use and emerging weight control problems, and the potential value of expanding tobacco prevention programs to better address the drivers of adolescent tobacco use.