Do weight concerns hinder smoking cessation efforts?

This study examined the hypothesis that weight concerns interfere with smoking cessation efforts. Four hundred fifty-nine women screened for participation in a smoking cessation treatment program completed Stunkard's Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (1981), measures of smoking-specific weight gain concern, and smoking history measures. Success in current cessation efforts was assessed 6 months following treatment. The restraint subscale of the TFEQ was associated with lower baseline level of nicotine dependence, a history of smoking fewer cigarettes, and longer prior periods of successful smoking abstinence. Baseline level of nicotine dependence and treatment group were significant predictors of smoking cessation at 6 months posttreatment. Restraint score was marginally predictive of higher rates of abstinence from smoking at 6 months when baseline level of nicotine dependence and treatment group were controlled. These results do not support the hypothesis that weight concerns interfere with smoking cessation attempts.