Young adult e-cigarette users: perceptions of stress, body image, and weight control

Introduction:
This text is a research article that examines the perceptions of young adults related to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use, including flavors, stress reduction, appetite regulation, body image, and weight control. The study aims to inform future prevention and health communication efforts regarding ENDS use.

Key points:

* The study surveyed college students (N = 230) from six states and collected information on their demographics, cigarette use, ENDS use, perceptions of ENDS use, body image, dieting behaviors, and tobacco-related weight concern and appetite regulation.
* The majority of ENDS users believed that ENDS cartridges come in good flavors, and 71.1% of ENDS users who used cartridges that tasted like sweets upon ENDS initiation.
* Among ENDS only users, 40% endorsed the perception that ENDS helped with stress management compared to 56.5% of those who reported both ENDS and cigarette use and 34.4% of neither cigarette nor ENDS users.
* There were no statistically significant differences in body image, dieting behaviors, and stress by tobacco use type.
* There were no differences based on BMI category related to initiation of ENDS using sweet-flavored products and endorsement that ENDS cartridges come in preferred flavors.
* There was a correlation between dieting behaviors and body shape and size concerns for ENDS-related weight concerns, but not for cigarette smoking-related weight concerns.
* Those who reported higher use of ENDS for weight and appetite regulation also had higher pathological eating scores and body shape and size concerns.

Main message:
The study suggests that young adults perceive ENDS as a product with good flavors, but not as a tool for stress management, weight gain prevention, or appetite control. The study also highlights the need for further research on the relationship between ENDS use, body image, dieting behaviors, and tobacco-related weight concerns, as there is a correlation between dieting behaviors and body shape and size concerns for ENDS-related weight concerns. The findings of this study can inform future prevention and health communication efforts regarding ENDS use.

Napolitano, Melissa A., Sarah Beth Lynch, and Cassandra A. Stanton. “Young Adult E-Cigarette Users: Perceptions of Stress, Body Image, and Weight Control.” Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity 25, no. 2 (April 2020): 487–95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-018-0627-6.