Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
Frontiers in Public Health
Publication Date
4-28-2026
Abstract
Background: Smoking is one of the leading global public health problems, and is complicated by multiple reasons for its prevalence and associated health problems. An understanding of the influence of smoking activity on weight management is essential to formulate successful health programs. Aim: The objective of the present study was the investigation of the association between smoking habits and weight management among adult people who smoke in the UAE. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 232 participants who completed a 36-item questionnaire assessing their smoking habits and weight management practices. Results: The sample consisted mostly of males (75.4%) aged 21-40 years, with the majority from Dubai (58.6%). There were statistically significant relationships between people who smoke, smoking duration, and frequency of weight management (p = 0.023), tobacco use and self-reported weight changes (p = 0.029), and smoking duration and BMI categories (p = 0.043). Conversely, shorter smoking exposure periods (<1 year) were associated with more variable BMI tracking and weight-based surveillance, as well as a higher likelihood of maintaining a normal BMI. Those who smoked weekly were more likely to report both perceived weight change and no weight change. Conclusions: These findings indicated that smoking prevalence is associated with weight-control behavior and BMI, especially among beginning people who smoke. In addition, smoking-cessation interventions must take a proactive approach to address weight concerns and self-monitoring behaviors earlier in the smoking process.
DOI Link
ISSN
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Volume
14
First Page
1732881
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Keywords
health behaviors, healthy lifestyle choices, nursing, public health, smoking cessation, smoking habits, weight management
Scopus ID
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
AlBlooshi, Sharifa; Dawood, Maryam Hassan; Abdelrahim, Dana N.; Lo Monaco, Marika; and Zeb, Falak, "Associations between smoking habits and weight-related behaviors among people who smoke in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study" (2026). All Works. 8271.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/8271
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
yes
Open Access Type
Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series