E-Cigarette Dependence and Weight-Related Attitudes/Behaviors Associated With Eating Disorders in Adolescent Girls

Aamina Naveed; Nhan Dang; Pierina Gonzalez; So Hee Choi; Amanda Mathew; Margaret Wardle; Lorra Garey; Ajna Hamidovic

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.713094

E-Cigarette Dependence and Weight-Related Attitudes/Behaviors Associated With Eating Disorders in Adolescent Girls

Front Psychiatry. 2021 Aug 30:12:713094. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.713094. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Aamina Naveed¹, Nhan Dang², Pierina Gonzalez¹, So Hee Choi¹, Amanda Mathew³, Margaret Wardle⁴, Lorra Garey⁵, Ajna Hamidovic¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
² Department of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
³ Department of Preventive Medicine, Rush University, Chicago, IL, United States.
⁴ Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
⁵ Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States.

Abstract

Background: Although numerous motivations for vaping have been identified in adolescents, no study to date has examined a possible link between vaping and attitudes/behaviors that are associated with eating disorders in adolescent females. Examining this question in adolescent females is especially relevant given the higher prevalence of eating disorders in adolescent girls and women compared to adolescent boys and men. Methods: We recruited 299 girls (between 13 to 17 years old) via Facebook advertisement to complete a REDCap survey, which included the Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index (ECDI), Minnesota Eating Behavior Survey (MEBS), and demographic questions. Data were analyzed using nonparametric Spearman rank correlation test in R. Results: Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index (ECDI) scores were correlated with weight preoccupation (WP), binge eating (BE) and compensatory behavior (CB), but not body dissatisfaction (BD). The following were the results of Spearman correlation tests: (1) WP: rho = 0.13, p = 0.02; (2) BD: rho = 0.06, p = 0.28; (3) BE: rho = 0.15, p = 0.0095; (4) CB: rho = 0.021, p = 0.00027. Conclusion: The present study adds to the current literature examining motivations for e-cigarette use in adolescent girls. As eating disorders and e-cigarette dependence are significant public health concerns, our results highlight the need for intervention development.

Keywords: E-cigarettes; ENDS; binge eating; body concerns; compensatory behavior; weight preoccupation.