Gender differences in teenage smoking

This study analyzes the patterns and correlates of gender differences in cigarette smoking in a national sample of white high school seniors in 1985. More females than males were smokers, because females had higher rates for the early stages of smoking adoption. Specifically, females were more likely to have tried smoking at least once and, among those who had tried smoking, females were more likely to have smoked more than once or twice. Gender differences in smoking varied, depending on the students' characteristics. For example, the female excess in the early stages of smoking adoption was small or absent among rural students or very religious students, apparently because traditional values inhibit smoking adoption more among females than among males. We estimated the contributions of gender differences in students' characteristics to gender differences in smoking adoption. For example, males were more involved in sports, and this appears to be one reason why males had lower rates of smoking adoption than females. On the other hand, males had more deviant behavior and attitudes, and this would be expected to contribute to greater smoking adoption by males. The findings of this study indicate important gender differences in the determinants of smoking adoption.     

Mexican American and white American school dropouts' drug use, health status, and involvement in violence

A group of Mexican American and white American school dropouts were compared with a control group and a group of academically at-risk students in three locations in the Southwest. The sample group consisted of school dropouts and comparison subjects in grades 6 through 12. Both comparison groups were matched with the dropouts by sex, ethnicity, and school grade. At risk students also were matched by age and grade point average. Dropout subjects were found to have the highest rates of alcohol and drug use, followed by at risk student subjects. The relative rates of use were about the same for nearly all drugs, with the largest differences found for drinking to intoxication and use of marijuana, uppers, and cocaine. Among the dropouts, 75 percent of Mexican American males and 90 percent of white American males had tried marijuana. More than a third of the dropouts had tried cocaine. One-third of the Mexican American males and more than half of the females in both the Mexican American and the white American group had tried uppers. Females, especially dropouts, had higher rates of tobacco smoking than males. The rates of cigarette smoking among dropouts were significantly greater than among the control group only for males. Health problems of parents were not related to dropping out of school for any of the ethnic or sex groups. However, dropouts were more likely to have had serious illness within the preceding year than members of the control group. Many dropouts live in a violent and dangerous world. As an example, about one in five dropouts had held a gun on someone in a confrontation, and 20 percent had cut someone with a knife. Nearly half had been badly beaten. Females were rarely perpetrators of crimes or misdemeanors, but were often victims. Forty-two percent of the white American female dropouts had been either raped or sexually assaulted. Mexican American females were found less likely to be victims of violence, which perhaps reflects cultural values of marianisma and machismo, involving protectiveness toward females.     

Sex differences in prevalence rates and predictors of cigarette smoking among in-school adolescents in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

An analysis of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey for Kilimanjaro, Tanzania was carried out to assess sex differences in the prevalence rates and predictors of current cigarette smoking among in-school adolescents. A total of 2323 adolescents participated in the study of whom 53% were females and 47% males. The prevalence of current cigarette smoking was 3.0% and 1.4% among males and females, respectively. The common factors that were significantly positively associated with cigarette smoking between sexes were: having more pocket money, closest friend smoked cigarettes, seeing actors smoke on TV, videos or movies, and seeing advertisements for cigarettes at social gatherings. Seeing anti-smoking messages at social gatherings were negatively associated with smoking among both sexes. While having had something such as a t-shirt or pen with a cigarette brand logo on it was positively associated with cigarette smoking among males, it was negatively associated with cigarette smoking among females. Male adolescents older than 15 years, those in their 9th year of schooling, and those who had seen cigarette brand names on TV were more likely to smoke. Meanwhile, male respondents who were in their 8th year of schooling, had seen anti-smoking media messages, and advertisements for cigarettes in newspapers or magazines were less likely to smoke. Among female adolescents, those who had parents who smoked, and surprisingly those who perceived that cigarette smoking as harmful were more likely to smoke. Interestingly, seeing advertisement for cigarettes on billboards was negatively associated with smoking among female adolescents. Interventions aimed to reduce adolescent smoking need to be designed and implemented with due consideration of sex differences in these associated factors.     

Tobacco smoking among Portuguese high-school students.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, behavioural patterns, and determinants of smoking among a large sample of high-school students from Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, information on sociodemographic characteristics and personal history of tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and illicit drug use was obtained from 2974 students, aged 12-19 years (48.7% female, 51.3% male), using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated by logistic regression analysis to estimate the association between smoking and the characteristics evaluated. Overall, 35.8% students had never smoked, 39.4% had tried it ("experimental" smokers) but were not smokers, 3.3% were former smokers, 6.6% occasional smokers, and 14.9% regular smokers. The mean age for starting smoking was 13.4 +/- 2.1 years for males and 13.4 +/- 1.6 years for females. The prevalence of current smoking was higher among males than females, but the difference was not significant. Male students were significantly more likely to smoke more cigarettes per day than were females. The prevalence of smoking was significantly associated with the following variables: being aged > 12 years; having parents who had attended school for < 4 years; having a mother (OR = 1.88), siblings (OR = 1.96) or friends (OR = 1.75) who smoked; low academic performance (OR = 1.74 for one or two failures and OR = 2.27 for more than two failures at school); and consumption of coffee (OR = 2.90), alcohol (OR = 3.53), or illicit drugs (OR = 6.69). The prevalence of smoking among adolescents increased with age. There is therefore a need for school-based tobacco prevention programmes which also deal with family influences on smoking.     

The North Norwegian Youth Study: cigarette smoking among ethnically diverse adolescents

Objectives: To examine ethnic and gender differences in the prevalence of cigarette smoking among indigenous Sami, ethnocultural Kven and majority Norwegian adolescents, and ethnic-specific gender differences in smoking. Design: 'The North Norwegian Youth Study' was a longitudinal epidemiological study. It collected data at two time points at a three-year interval (1994/95 and 1997/98). It was based on student self-reports (10-12th grade) from 21 state schools in North Norway. The initial analysis included 2997 students aged 15-19 years (response rate (RR): 85%) and 1533 responders at follow-up (RR: 55%). The sample consisted of 12% Kvens, 23% Sami and 65% Norwegians. Results: Baseline (follow-up) smoking rates were; 38% (35%) never smokers, 29% (29%) current regular smokers, 11% (12%) current irregular smokers and 23% (24%) former smokers. Ethnic differences in cigarette smoking were minor and found at baseline only. Sami students reported a lower proportion of current irregular smokers (8%) and a higher rate of former smokers (26%). Gender differences were most pronounced at baseline with females more involved in cigarette smoking than their male peers. However, males were more likely to be heavy smokers at both time points. Conclusions: Cigarette smoking among adolescents and young people in North Norway was generally independent of the ethnicity of the respondents. There were no ethnic differences in smoking rates at follow-up. Sami youth were not at higher risk of cigarette smoking than their non-indigenous peers. This finding contrasts with findings among other Arctic indigenous youth.     

Racial disparities in tobacco use and social influences in a rural southern middle school

This study investigated racial differences of tobacco use and social exposure to tobacco products in a sample of middle school students. Questionnaires were administered in January 2005 to 290 students in a Mississippi Delta-area middle school. The participants were 51.0% female and 56.6% African American. Unadjusted odds ratios revealed that Caucasian students were statistically more likely than were African American students to (1) have ever tried smoking, (2) have ever been a daily smoker, (3) have smoked in the past 30 days, (4) live with someone who smokes, (5) have seen a parent or guardian smoke, and (6) have friends who smoke. In contrast, African Americans were more likely to report "no one is allowed to smoke" in their home. Caucasian females had the highest rates of smoking, as well as the highest exposure to social smoking behaviors. This study not only showed that Caucasians were indeed smoking more but also that African American adolescents do not have the same exposure to social smoking, particularly African American females. Of particular interest was why the differences eventually dissipate and smoking rates are virtually the same in adulthood. A greater understanding of the impact of exposure to tobacco use on an adolescent's own tobacco use is vital to prevention efforts, especially in regard to racial differences. Future research on youth tobacco prevention and cessation programs should focus on sociocultural and racial differences in the development of tobacco use in adolescents.     

Cross-national gender differences in the socioeconomic factors associated with smoking in Australia, the United States of America and South Korea

Objectives

We compared rates of smoking among those aged 45 years and older in Australia, the United States of America and South Korea, and examined cross-national gender differences in key socioeconomic differentials in smoking.

Methods

We conducted weighted analyses on cross-sectional data from nationally representative surveys conducted in 2006.

Results

Current smoking was more prevalent for males than females in all countries; the gender difference was largest in Korea. Being unpartnered increased the likelihood of smoking in all countries, while greater wealth reduced it. In Korea, these effects interacted with gender; both indicators showed larger differentials among women than men. Lower educational attainment increased the likelihood of smoking for all groups except Korean women, among whom high school educated women were less likely to smoke than the tertiary educated.

Conclusions

Our findings support a cultural interpretation of gender differences in smoking: in countries with low gender empowerment, gender differences in smoking are greater. With increasing divorce and female tertiary education rates in nations like Korea, we highlight the need for health promotion messages targeted towards older and more educated women.     

Transition through stages of smoking: the effect of gender and self-concept on adolescent smoking behavior.

PURPOSE: To determine whether self-concept, gender, and age are significant factors in an adolescent's transition through stages of smoking to regular smoking. METHODS: A questionnaire composed of 29 items (nine questions pertaining to smoking behavior and 20 to four self-concept variables: physical, family, social, and peer self-concept) was administered to 368 randomly selected high school adolescents (188 males and 180 females) aged 12-17 years during regular contact (roll call) time. RESULTS: Overall, 40.5% of the sample had tried tobacco (excluding chewing tobacco) (42.8% of females and 38.3% of males). Although prevalence of smoking varied according to the stage of smoking, it increased with age. With reference to self-concept, Scheffe post hoc contrasts revealed a statistically significant difference between physical self-concept and the remaining measures of self-concept (peer, family, and social) and at each stage of smoking. The effect for male students was less than for females. CONCLUSION: Programs aimed at prevention and intervention should incorporate strategies which are commensurate with female lifestyles and the more positive aspects that individuals might experience on quitting.     

Ethnic and gender differences in drinking and smoking among London adolescents

Objectives. The study examines stages of drinking and smoking careers and transitions from initiation to regular use among adolescents, as a function of ethnic status and gender. Design. The data were collected using a confidential, self-completion questionnaire assessing onset and frequency of drinking and smoking. The sample consisted of 1777 adolescents, between the ages of 11 and 14, drawn from eight secondary schools in south-west London. Results. For both smoking and drinking, white children were more likely to have ever smoked tobacco and drunk alcohol, and were also more likely to progress from initiation to regular use than were either black or Asian children. Asian children reported the latest onset and the lowest prevalence rates for both drinking and smoking. Males reported experimenting with both cigarettes and alcohol at an earlier age than females, although a lower proportion of males report regular and lifetime involvement with both alcohol and tobacco. Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of females who try smoking go on to do so regularly. Discussion. The importance of sociocultural factors in relation to race and gender in predicting onset and escalation of substance use is discussed. The fact that age of onset does not appear to be a significant determinant of transition rate from initiation to regular use is also explored.     

College students' definitions of an eating "binge" differ as a function of gender and binge eating disorder status

Males and females engage in comparable rates of binge eating, but gender differences in what constitutes a “binge” may contribute to the disproportionate likelihood of females meeting diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder (BED). Using data from one university enrolled in the 2010 Healthy Minds Study, we investigated the differences in “eating binge” definitions as a function of gender, BED status, and their interaction. This sample of 969 undergraduate college students was 64.0% female, and 9.3% (10.7% of women; 6.9% of males) met the screening criteria for BED. Open-ended responses defining a “binge” were coded into psychological/behavioral and food themes. Females with BED were most likely to mention loss of control when defining an eating binge, and relative to males with BED, they were significantly more likely to mention sweet foods; males with BED were significantly more likely to mention pizza. Findings suggest that among those without BED, females mentioned mood, type of food, and engaging in compensatory behaviors significantly more often than males. Results suggests that the diagnostic emphasis on binge eating as involving “loss of control” may lead to a heightened diagnosis of BED among females, yet both genders may experience a comparable weight-related sequelae from binge eating.     

高年级大学生性相关问题态度、行为状况研究

目的：了解大学生性相关问题态度、行为状况,探讨性别因素与其关系。方法：对广东某医学院303名年龄在20－25岁的大三学生（其中男195人,女108人）进行问卷调查。结果：男生对偶尔婚外性行为及婚前性行为持较宽容态度,92％的学生认为卖淫嫖娼应受遣责和法办。同学间男生比女生更多地谈到性问题。女生恋爱比例高于男生,婚前性行为男女比例无差别。学生最需要的性教育内容依次为性心理知识、安全性行为、性传播疾病等。女生偏向由专家教授提供性知识,而男生偏向由同学、朋友提供性知识。男生吸烟、饮酒比例均高于女生。结论：高年级男女大学生的性相关问题态度、行为状况有较多不同,在性教育的方式方法上,应注意男女生的差别。     

Gender differences in obesogenic behaviour, socioeconomic and metabolic factors in a population-based sample of Iranians: the IHHP study

This study investigated the gender differences in association of some behavioural and socioeconomic factors with obesity indices in a population-based sample of 12,514 Iranian adults. The mean body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were significantly higher in women than in men. Current and passive smoking had an inverse association with BMI among males whereas current smoking, transportation by a private car, and longer duration of watching television (TV) had a positive association with BMI among females. Current and passive smoking, cycling, and Global Dietary Index (GDI) had an inverse association with WC among males. Higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, current and passive smoking, duration of daily sleep, and GDI had an inverse association with WC among females. Using a private car for transportation had a significant positive association with WHR among both males and females. Living in an urban area, being married, and having a higher education level increased the odds ratio of obesity among both the genders. Non-manual work also increased this risk among males whereas watching TV and current smoking increased this risk among females. Such gender differences should be considered for culturally-appropriate interventional strategies to be implemented at the population level for tackling obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk factors.     

Risk factors for cigarette smoking among high school students in Okinawa, Japan

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between risk factors and smoking status among high school students in Okinawa, Japan. We also examined if there is a dose-response relation between the number of risk factors and smoking status. Self-reported questionnaires including smoking status and potential risk factors were conducted using a sample of 1,029 students of a public senior high school in Okinawa. The percentage of smokers was 40.0% for males and 10.6% for females, and it was significantly higher for males than females. As a result of multivariate analysis, we identified four significant risk factors; peer smoking, attitude of peer toward subject smoking, intention to smoke at the age 20, and alcohol drinking. The number of these risk factors was linearly associated with increased percentage of smokers, and a linear trend was significant for both gender students. Additionally, magnitude of risk for smoking among females became considerably great compared with those of males as the number of risk factors increased. In conclusion, this study was the first study in Japan to indicate a significant dose-response relationship between the number of risk factors and smoking status among high school students. We also found that females with many risk factors had extremely increased vulnerability to smoking compared to male counterpart. These findings may be useful to identify high-risk students who need more intensive smoking prevention programs and to develop the content of effective interventions.     

Sexual attitudes and risk-taking behaviors of high school students in Turkey

BACKGROUND: The risk of sexually transmitted diseases is high but opportunities of sexual education for adolescents are limited in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual attitudes and behaviors and to determine the predictors of sexual initiation among adolescents. METHODS: A questionnaire designed by the researchers was administered to 861 senior year high school students in their classrooms. RESULTS: The rates of masturbation and sexual intercourse and the median partner numbers among males were higher than females. The rates of having negative feelings after the first sex among females were higher than males. The rates of having sexual intercourse and the mean age at first sexual intercourse among males were similar to developed countries. However, the use of a condom at first intercourse was low. Lower academic performance and grade repetition experience among males and cigarette smoking among both gender groups were related to having sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the first studies about sexual risk-taking behaviors among high school students in Turkey. Differences found between gender groups regarding attitudes and behaviors reflect the social structure in Turkey. These findings may be helpful in producing effective solutions for improving education and preventive health care.     

北京市延庆县青少年吸烟行为及影响因素分析

目的 了解北京市延庆县青少年吸烟行为及影响因素.方法 在北京市延庆县随机抽取5所学校1466名学生进行匿名问卷调查.结果 报告尝试吸烟率为32.9%,现在吸烟率为12.3%,吸烟率为6.5%;吸烟率男生高于女生,中等职业学校学生高于高中和初中学生;开始吸烟年龄<12岁者占50.1%,尝试吸第1支烟的最主要原因是出于好奇(274人,59.4%),中学生吸烟者最常与学校内的同学或朋友一起吸烟占62.1%;56.3%的学生报告学校周边可以买到烟,初中报告率最高;多元Logistic回归分析显示,职高学生、男生、有同伴吸烟、想模仿影视剧中的吸烟形象、心理健康问题严重程度、学习成绩较差是中学生尝试吸烟行为发生的危险因素,对吸烟态度的正确持有、家中有限制吸烟规定是中学生尝试吸烟行为发生的保护因素.结论 北京市延庆县青少年吸烟行为不容乐观,应尽早有针对性地开展预防教育和干预工作.     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity, and dieting attitudes among Caucasian and African American college students in Eastern North carolina: A cross-sectional survey

A cross-sectional survey was used to investigate the rates of overweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 25), and eating attitudes among college students. Data were collected at a large southeastern university. Adolescents (ages 18-25) self-reported weight and height (to calculate BMI), and, in addition to demographic information, completed the eating attitudes (EAT 26) scale to assess dieting tendencies. Significance of the mean BMI differences between gender and ethnic background were assessed by one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). Chi-square was used to determine whether the rate of those with BMI≥25 between gender and ethnic background was statistically significant. While 52.7% of the students'' BMI were within the normal weight category, 15.2% were underweight, 21.3% were overweight, and 10.8% were obese. The rate of BMI≥25 differed by gender and ethnicity, with males and African Americans having higher rates. About 12 % of the participants reported disturbed eating behavior, which is lower than previously reported. Even so, results support the generally held belief that disturbed eating attitudes and unhealthy dieting are common among college students, especially among females. At the same time, disturbed eating attitudes are not just the domain of young female students; about 10% of college males reported disturbed eating attitudes. Findings of this study call for obesity prevention/intervention and lifestyle modification outreach programs among college students. Weight status and unhealthy eating behaviors of college students should be a concern to health care professionals. While obese young adults will likely remain obese throughout their adult life, excessive dieting among students, which is linked to eating disorders and other health hazards, does not provide healthy and adequate alternatives for maintaining a normal BMI. Implications for obesity prevention programs are discussed.     

安徽理工大学学生吸烟状况与动态血压变化

目的调查大学生吸烟状况,探讨吸烟对大学生血压的影响,以便为开展大学生控烟健康教育提供理论依据.方法对安徽理工大学学生2 137人进行吸烟问卷调查,随机选取日吸烟量≥10支男性大学生34例为吸烟组,不吸烟者31例为对照组.行24h动态血压监测.结果大学生总吸烟率为40.2%,男生吸烟率为58.2%,女生吸烟率为9.8%.男生日吸烟量≥10支者占男生吸烟总人数的38.6%.24h动态血压监测显示,吸烟组24h、日间及夜间平均血压均高于不吸烟组,日间血压相差非常显著(P＜0.005);24 h血压波动曲线图显示,吸烟组血压高于不吸烟组,分时段相差显著、相差不显著以及部分时段血压不稳定3个阶段;吸烟组吸烟时心率显著高于不吸烟组.结论大学生吸烟率高,吸烟可致正常血压者血压升高及心率加快,尤其舒张压升高更为明显,应采取有效措施禁止学生吸烟.     

Early sexual activity among adolescents in small towns and rural areas: race and gender patterns

A 1987 survey of 758 eighth-grade students from three rural counties in Maryland revealed that 61 percent of males and 47 percent of females have engaged in sexual intercourse, and that 77 percent of black students and 40 percent of whites have ever had intercourse. A logistic regression analyzing the effects of race and gender shows that the odds that young black teenagers would have had intercourse are over five times those for whites, and that the odds for males are about twice those for females. The introduction of developmental, individual, academic and behavioral factors into the regression model has little effect on these odds ratios. Separate logistic analyses of four subgroups--white males, white females, black males and black females--reveal no consistent associations between sexual activity and the factors examined. For example, such types of problem behavior as cigarette smoking and use of alcohol or certain other drugs are associated with the likelihood of sexual activity, but the specific type of behavior involved differs by subgroup: Cigarette smoking is related to an increased likelihood of sexual activity just among white females, while alcohol consumption is associated with sexual experience among black females and white males only. Use of drugs other than marijuana or alcohol is linked to a 5-9 times greater risk of sexual activity among whites, but not to any significantly increased risk among blacks, whereas living in a town (rather than in the country) is significantly associated with the likelihood of sexual intercourse among both white and black males, but not among females of either race.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Popular perceptions of tobacco products and patterns of use among male college students in India

This paper examines popular perceptions of tobacco products and describes patterns of use among college youth in Karnataka, India. Data are drawn from 25 key informant interviews and six focus groups with male and female college students, interviews with shopkeepers, observational data on youth tobacco consumption, and a college-based survey. The survey was administered to 1587 males attending eleven colleges. Forty-five percent (n = 716) of college students surveyed had used tobacco products. Thirty-six percent (n = 573) had tried cigarettes, 10% (n = 157) had tried bidis, and 18% (n = 290) had tried gutkha. Tobacco consumption among smokers was low; for daily smokers, the mean number of cigarettes smoked was 6 per day. Students attending professional colleges, including engineering, medicine, and law were significantly more likely to have ever smoked and to be daily smokers when compared to students enrolled in other courses of study. In interviews, male students noted that smoking a cigarette enhanced one's manliness, relieved boredom, and eased tension. Although female students interviewed were non-smokers, several suggested that in the future, smoking might be an acceptable behavior among college-going females. When asked about their perceptions of smoking among youth in Western countries, the majority of students believed that three-quarters of male and female youth in the West smoked. This perception has been largely formed through media images, including satellite television and films. With regard to addiction, it was widely believed that filter-tipped cigarettes were one of the most addictive products because they are made of better quality tobacco, and are milder and smoother to smoke. Therefore, a person could easily smoke more of them, which would lead to addiction. Another widely held belief was that the more expensive the cigarette, the less harmful it was for one's health.