Eating Disorder Symptomatology Among Young Adult Cigarette and E-Cigarette Users.

Objective: Tobacco use is elevated among individuals with eating disorders (EDs). Yet, further research is needed to understand associations between cigarette and e-cigarette use patterns and ED symptomatology. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of tobacco use and EDs, this study characterized ED symptomatology and tobacco use patterns, including exclusive cigarette use, e-cigarette use, dual use, and nonuse. Method: Young adults aged 18-24 years who self-reported exclusive cigarette, e-cigarette, dual, or nonuse (N = 2500) were recruited via Lucid, an online survey management company. Participants completed questionnaires assessing body dissatisfaction, global ED psychopathology, binge eating and self-induced vomiting frequency, and demographics. ED diagnostic groups included: anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia spectrum eating disorders (BSED), atypical AN, and night eating syndrome (NES). Results: Multinomial logistic models revealed those with AN were more likely to be dual users, those with atypical AN were more likely to be exclusive e-cigarette users, and participants with a BSED or NES were more likely to be exclusive e-cigarette or dual users, compared to those without an ED. General linear models suggested body dissatisfaction and global ED psychopathology were higher among exclusive e-cigarette and dual users, while binge eating and self-induced vomiting frequencies were greater among all tobacco use groups compared to nonusers. Discussion: Our findings suggest young adults with ED symptomatology were more likely to be users of e-cigarettes exclusively or dual users. It will be necessary to examine how these associations manifest using longitudinal and clinical populations in future research.

Indirect Effects of Body Mass Index and Sweet Taste Responsiveness on E-Cigarette Dependence: The Role of E-Cigarette Motives.

Background: Recent research has shown obesity to be associated with e-cigarette use and appeal, but models have yet to examine how weight status may be related to e-cigarette dependence among e-cigarette users. Objectives: To increase our understanding of pathways from body mass index (BMI) to e-cigarette dependence, the present cross-sectional observational study investigated a model in which BMI, sweet taste responsiveness, and the interaction of BMI and sweet taste responsiveness are associated with e-cigarette dependence indirectly via seven conceptually-distinct motives for e-cigarette use. Data from several e-cigarette clinical laboratory research studies were pooled and analyzed; only current e-cigarette users were included in the analyses (N=330). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the hypothesized model. Results: BMI was positively associated with lower social/environmental goad motives and higher weight control motives, and BMI x sweet taste interaction terms found that sweet taste responsiveness strengthened the association of BMI and weight control motives. BMI was not directly or indirectly associated with e-cigarette dependence nor was there a bivariate association between BMI and e-cigarette dependence. Sweet taste responsiveness was positively associated with greater affiliative attachment motives, cognitive enhancement motives, cue exposure-associative process motives, weight control motives, and affect enhancement motives. Sweet taste responsiveness was bivariately associated with e-cigarette dependence and mediation paths show indirect relations to e-cigarette dependence via three of the seven motives. Conclusions: The findings suggest that sweet taste responsiveness, opposed to BMI, is associated with a wider range of e-cigarette use motives and indirectly relates to e-cigarette dependence via several e-cigarette use motives.

Investigating the day-level associations between affective variability and physical activity using ecological momentary assessment.

BACKGROUND: Understanding affect as a determinant of physical activity has gained increased attention in health behavior research. Fluctuations in affect intensity from moment-to-moment (i.e., affective variability) may interfere with cognitive and regulatory processes, making it difficult to engage in goal-directed behaviors such as physical activity. Preliminary evidence indicates that those with greater trait-level affective variability engage in lower levels of habitual physical activity. However, the extent to which daily fluctuations in affect variability are associated with same-day physical activity levels is unknown. This study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to investigate day-level associations between affective variability (i.e., within-subject variance) and physical activity. METHODS: Young adults (N = 231, M = 23.58 ± 3.02 years) provided three months of smartphone-based EMA and smartwatch-based activity data. Every two weeks, participants completed a 4-day EMA measurement burst (M = 5.17 ± 1.28 bursts per participant). Bursts consisted of hourly randomly-prompted EMA surveys assessing momentary positive-activated (happy, energetic), positive-deactivated (relaxed), negative-activated (tense, stressed), and negative-deactivated (sad, fatigued) affect. Participants continuously wore a smartwatch to measure physical activity across the three months. Mixed-effects location scale modeling examined the day-level associations of affective variability (i.e., positive-activated, positive-deactivated, negative-activated, and negative-deactivated) and physical activity, controlling for covariates such as mean levels of affect, between-subject effects of physical activity, time of day, day of week, day in study, and smartwatch wear time. RESULTS: There were 41,546 completed EMA surveys (M = 182.22 ± 69.82 per participant) included in the analyses. Above and beyond mean levels of affect, greater day-level variability in positive-activated affect was associated with greater physical activity on that same day compared to other days (τ = 0.01, p < .001), whereas greater day-level variability in negative-deactivated affect was associated with less physical activity on that same day compared to other days (τ = -0.01, p < .001). Day-level variability in positive-deactivated affect or negative-activated affect were not associated with day-level physical activity (ps > .05) CONCLUSIONS: Individuals were less active on days with greater variability in feeling sad and fatigued but more active on days with greater variability in feeling happy and energetic. Understanding the dynamic relationships of affective variability with day-level physical activity can strengthen physical activity interventions by considering how these processes differ within individuals and unfold within the context of daily life. Future research should examine causal pathways between affective variability and physical activity across the day.

Trajectories of body mass index and combustible and electronic cigarette use across adolescence: Findings from the PATH study.

PURPOSE: Associations between empirically-generated body mass index (BMI) trajectories and risk of current use of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes across adolescence were examined using longitudinal data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study. METHODS: The PATH study is an ongoing annual longitudinal population-based study of adolescents. We utilized Waves 1-4 conducted from 2013 to 2017. Adolescents completed self-reported surveys of their height, weight, and current tobacco use at Waves 1-4 and their tobacco weight control beliefs at Waves 1-2. RESULTS: Using latent growth mixture modeling, six trajectories of BMI were identified. The largest group ("normal weight increasing;" n = 4,858; 86.6 %), which was used as the comparator in subsequent analyses, consisted of adolescents ages 12-17 who were normal weight at Wave 1 with a significant increase in BMI across Waves 2--4. The "overweight early increasing," "overweight late increasing," and "obesity stable" classes had greater likelihood of current combustible cigarette use during the study compared to the "normal weight increasing class." The "overweight early increasing," "overweight late increasing," and "overweight increasing then decreasing" classes showed elevated risk for e-cigarette use during the study. Compared to those in the "normal weight increasing" class, those in the "overweight increasing then decreasing" and "obesity stable" classes had greater weight control beliefs at Wave 1 and those in the "obesity stable" class had greater weight control beliefs at Wave 2. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of weight trajectories and weight control beliefs by tobacco product use across adolescence and the need for mechanistic and intervention research.

Effects of 'Ice' flavoured e-cigarettes with synthetic cooling agent WS-23 or menthol on user-reported appeal and sensory attributes.

BACKGROUND: This clinical experiment tested the effects of exposure to e-cigarettes with WS-23 or menthol cooling additives on user appeal and sensory attributes, and, secondarily, whether WS-23 effects generalised across base characterising flavour, nicotine concentration, or nicotine/tobacco product use status. METHODS: In this within-participant double-blind experiment, adult tobacco/nicotine users administered standardised puffs of 18 different e-cigarette solutions in randomised sequences using a pod-style device. Each of three base characterising e-cigarette flavour solutions ('bold tobacco', 'mango,' 'wintergreen') in both 2% and 4% concentrations of nicotine benzoate salt were manipulated by adding either: (1) Menthol (0.5%), (2) WS-23 (0.75%) or (3) No cooling agent. After each administration, participants rated 3 appeal and 5 sensory attributes (0-100 scales). RESULTS: Participants (n=84; M(SD)=38.6 (13.6) years old) were either exclusive e-cigarette (25.0%), cigarette (36.9%) or dual (38.1%) users. WS-23 versus no coolant products produced higher liking, willingness to use again, smoothness, and coolness and lower disliking, bitterness, and harshness ratings (|B|difference range: 4.8 to 20.1; ps<0.005). Menthol (vs no coolant) increased willingness to use again and reduced harshness and coolness (ps<0.05). Flavours with WS-23 (vs menthol) were rated as smoother, cooler and less harsh (ps<0.05). Coolant effects did not differ by base flavour, nicotine concentration, or tobacco use status. CONCLUSIONS: Adding synthetic coolant WS-23 to e-cigarettes appears to make the vaping user experience more appealing, regardless of characterising base flavour. Regulatory agencies should be aware that the manufacturing process of adding synthetic coolants may increase the attractiveness of various e-cigarette products.Cite Now.

Daily ovarian hormone exposure and loss of control eating in adolescent girls: A registered report.

OBJECTIVE: The daily biobehavioral factors that precipitate loss of control eating (LOCE) in adolescent girls are not well known. Ovarian hormone levels are key biological factors associated with the etiology of eating disorders in adolescent girls. Yet, models on how daily ovarian hormone exposure predicts LOCE in adolescent girls are underdeveloped. The goal of this study is to examine the daily patterns and mechanisms of ovarian hormone levels on LOCE across the menstrual cycle in adolescent girls and the mediating roles of food-related reward anticipation and response inhibition. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) paired with daily hormonal sampling will be used to examine (1) daily associations between within-person hormones and LOCE, and (2) the mediating role of within-person food-related reward anticipation and response inhibition. METHODS: Normally cycling adolescent girls who have reached menarche will provide daily saliva samples for hormone analysis and complete EMA for 35 days. During EMA, girls will report LOCE and will complete task-based and self-report measures of food-related response inhibition and reward anticipation. DISCUSSION: This work has implications for the development of new real-world biobehavioral models of LOCE in adolescent girls, which will guide theory improvements and treatment for LOCE. Results will provide preliminary evidence for treatment targets for novel interventions for adolescent girls-for example, a response inhibition intervention. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Adolescent eating disorders are severe mental health conditions, often marked by loss of control eating. Estrogen and progesterone play a role in the development and persistence of loss of control eating. The current study will examine how daily exposure to estrogen and progesterone predicts loss of control eating in adolescent girls and identify possible daily mechanisms linking estrogen and progesterone exposure and loss of control eating.

E-cigarette weight and appetite control beliefs and e-cigarette initiation in young adults.

E-cigarette use has increased among young adults, and emerging research suggests a subset of young adults report using e-cigarettes for appetite control/weight loss. The current article examined the association of e-cigarette weight control beliefs with subsequent e-cigarette initiation. Data were collected via online surveys from a prospective cohort study of young adults in Southern California (N = 1,368) at baseline (May-October 2020; M [SD]age = 21.2 [0.4]) and 6 months later (January-May 2021). Binary logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of e-cigarette weight control beliefs (i.e., perceptions that e-cigarettes help people lose weight and satisfy hunger and desire to eat unhealthy foods) with new onset e-cigarette use at follow-up. All models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. Among individuals who had never used e-cigarettes at baseline, those who agreed (vs. disagreed) that e-cigarettes help people lose weight had more than three times the odds of initiating e-cigarette use by follow-up (OR [95% CI]: 3.24 [1.52, 6.62]). Similarly, those who agreed (vs. disagreed) that vaping certain e-cigarette flavors help satisfy hunger and desire to eat unhealthy foods had more than twice the odds of initiating e-cigarette use by follow-up (OR [95% CI]: 2.40 [1.15, 4.82]). Findings highlight that e-cigarette weight control beliefs are an important risk factor for vaping initiation. Future interventions and policies aiming to prevent vaping among young adults should address e-cigarette weight control beliefs and long-term health consequences from related use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Appeal of e-cigarette flavors: Differences between never and ever use of combustible cigarettes.

BACKGROUND: Characterizing the appeal of flavored e-cigarette solutions by tobacco product use status can inform regulations to reduce vaping in those who never smoked without discouraging adopting e-cigarettes as a quit-smoking aid. METHODS: Adults aged 21+ who currently use tobacco products (N = 119) self-administered standardized puffs of eight non-tobacco flavored and two tobacco-flavored e-cigarette solutions using a pod-style device. Participants rated appeal (0-100 scale) following each administration. Mean differences in flavor appeal ratings were compared between four groups: people who never smoked/currently vape, formerly smoked/currently vape, currently smoke/currently vape, and currently smoke/do not vape (with interest in vaping). RESULTS: The Global Flavor (all non-tobacco vs. tobacco)×Group interaction (p = .028) revealed higher appeal for non-tobacco vs. tobacco flavors in adults who never smoked/currently vape (B[95 %CI] = 13.6[4.1-23.1]), formerly smoked/currently vape (B[95 %CI] = 11.6[4.2-18.9]), and currently smoke/currently vape (B[95 %CI] = 9.3[2.5-11.6]), but not adults who currently smoke/never vaped (B[95 %CI] = -0.1[-5.1 to 4.9]). In flavor-specific analyses, adults who never smoked/currently vape rated strawberry (p = .022), peppermint (p = .028), and menthol (p = .028) more appealing than tobacco flavors. Among adults who formerly smoked/currently vape, strawberry (p < .001), peppermint (p = .009), and vanilla (p = .009), were more appealing than tobacco. Adults who currently smoked/currently vape rated peppermint (p = .022) and vanilla (p = .009) as more appealing than tobacco. No non-tobacco flavors were more appealing than tobacco in adults who currently smoke/never vaped. CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette sales restrictions on non-tobacco flavors, including menthol, may eliminate products preferred by adults who vape, including those who never smoked, without discouraging adults who currently smoke and never vaped from trying e-cigarettes.

Dose-response effects of two nicotine salt formulations on electronic cigarette appeal and sensory attributes.

OBJECTIVES: Various organic acids are used to create nicotine salt formulations, which may improve the appeal and sensory experience of vaping electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). This clinical experiment examined the effects of partially and highly protonated forms of two nicotine salt formulations (nicotine lactate and benzoate) versus free-base (no acid additive) on the appeal and sensory attributes of e-cigarettes. METHODS: Current adult tobacco product users (n=116) participated in an online remote double-blind within-subject randomised experiment involving standardised self-administration of e-cigarette solutions varying in nicotine formulation (free-base, 50% nicotine lactate -1:2 lactic acid to nicotine molar ratio, 100% nicotine lactate - 1:1 ratio, 50% nicotine benzoate and 100% nicotine benzoate). Each formulation had equivalent nicotine concentrations (27.0-33.0 mg/mL) and was administered in four flavours in a pod-style device. After each administration, participants rated appeal (liking, disliking and willingness to use again) and sensory attributes (0-100 scale). RESULTS: Compared with free-base nicotine, 50% and 100% nicotine lactate and benzoate yielded higher appeal, smoothness and sweetness and lower harshness and bitterness. Dose-response analyses found 100% vs 50% nicotine salt improved appeal, smoothness, bitterness and harshness for nicotine lactate and sweetness, smoothness and harshness for nicotine benzoate. Solutions with higher pH were associated with worse appeal and sensory attributes across nicotine formulations. Nicotine formulation effects did not differ by tobacco use status and flavours. CONCLUSION: Restricting benzoic acid or lactic acid additives or setting minimal pHs in e-cigarettes merits consideration in regulations designed to reduce vaping among populations deterred from using e-cigarettes with aversive sensory properties. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This study was registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03742817 under the title 'Effects of e-Cigarettes on Perceptions and Behavior'.

Characterizing different-flavored e-cigarette solutions from user-reported sensory attributes and appeal.

Scientists and regulators need parsimonious methods of characterizing flavored e-cigarettes which may vary widely in both chemical flavoring constituents and marketing descriptors. This laboratory experiment characterized user-reported appeal and experience of five cross-cutting sensory attributes (sweetness, bitterness, smoothness, harshness, coolness) of 10 common e-cigarette flavors. In a within-subject double-blind single-visit protocol, current nicotine/tobacco product users (N = 119) self-administered a single puff of each e-liquid flavor via a pod-style device and rated its appeal and sensory attributes on 0-100 scales. Custom-manufactured e-liquids, nicotine concentration: M (SD) = 23.4 (0.9) mg/mL, representative of commonly marketed fruit (green apple, strawberry), dessert (dark chocolate, vanilla), mint (peppermint, spearmint), nonmint cooling (menthol, koolada), and tobacco (subtle tobacco, full-flavored tobacco) flavor descriptors were used and their constituents were independently analyzed. Results largely demonstrated that a flavor's sensory attributes concorded with its marketed flavor descriptor. Among the 10 flavors, vanilla was rated sweetest (B[difference vs. mean of 9 other flavors] = 14.44, 95% CI [10.84, 18.03]), full-flavored tobacco was most bitter, B = 8.34, 95% CI [4.73, 11.96], subtle tobacco was most harsh, B = 5.69, 95% CI [1.70, 9.68], and peppermint scored highest in both smoothness, B = 6.98, 95% CI [3.13, 10.82], and coolness, B = 29.25, 95% CI [25.50, 33.01]. Flavors with higher appeal ratings tended to be sweeter, smoother, cooler, and less bitter and harsh. Chemical analysis found numerous flavoring constituents among study products without any clear differentiation of chemicals being present in particular flavor categories, which underscores the utility of using sensory ratings to characterize different-flavored e-cigarettes over and above constituent analyses. Characterizing e-cigarette flavors by subjective sensory attributes may be useful in future research and regulatory activities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Body Dissatisfaction and Binge Eating: The Moderating Roles of Sweet Taste Reward Sensitivity and Dietary Restraint among Tobacco Product Users.

Body dissatisfaction is a key predictor of binge eating, yet less is known about factors that may potentiate the association between body dissatisfaction and binge eating. This study examined self-reported dietary restraint and sweet taste reward sensitivity as candidate moderators of the association between body dissatisfaction and binge eating in adults. A convenience sample of 221 tobacco product users completed measures of eating disorder pathology and sweet taste reward sensitivity. Results revealed that elevated sweet taste reward sensitivity strengthened the positive association between higher body dissatisfaction and binge eating. However, there was no main effect, or moderation effect, of dietary restraint on binge eating. The findings of this study demonstrate the key role of sweet taste reward sensitivity in potentiating the association between body dissatisfaction and binge eating. Sweet taste reward sensitivity may serve as a key dispositional factor for uncontrolled eating.

Prospective Associations of Tobacco Weight Control Beliefs with E-Cigarette Use Patterns in the PATH Study.

INTRODUCTION: Some adolescents report using e-cigarettes (EC) for weight-related reasons, but longitudinal studies are lacking. This study examined associations between tobacco weight control beliefs and body mass index (BMI) with EC use patterns over one year. METHODS: Data from Waves 1 and 2 (September 2013 to October 2015) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study were used. Questions about tobacco weight control beliefs, EC use patterns (never, ever, never to current, ever to current, current to current), cigarette and other tobacco product use, demographics, and BMI were examined among adolescent respondents across Wave 1 and Wave 2. RESULTS: Most adolescents were never EC users (85.8%). Prevalence of EC use patterns was low across categories of use (0.6%-5.3%). Higher BMI was associated with transition from ever but not current use at Wave 1 to current use at Wave 2. Greater baseline tobacco weight control beliefs and increases in tobacco weight control beliefs were associated with most EC use patterns compared to never use. CONCLUSIONS: Greater tobacco weight control beliefs were risk factors for e-cigarette initiation and maintenance among a nationally representative sample of adolescents. BMI was minimally associated with e-cigarette use patterns. Additional studies are needed to replicate and further examine these preliminary prospective associations between weight control beliefs and EC use.

Understanding daily life experiences of women who smoke: The role of smoking-related weight control expectancies.

Smoking-related weight control expectancies are a motivational factor for maintaining cigarette use, particularly among women. Yet, less research has investigated the physiological and behavioral daily life weight-related experiences of women with smoking-related weight control expectancies. Increased research could contribute to understanding of maintenance factors for this group of smokers as well as unique intervention targets. Female smokers completed a baseline survey of smoking-related weight control expectancies and 35-days of ecological momentary assessment of physiological (i.e., smoking-related reduction in hunger, end-of-day perceived weight gain and bloating) and behavioral (i.e., daily exercise and sitting) weight-related experiences. Higher smoking-related weight control expectancies were associated with perceived smoking-related reductions in hunger and end-of-day perceived weight gain. Smoking-related weight control expectancies did not significantly associate with end-of-day bloating, daily exercise, or sitting. Given these findings, smoking-related weight control expectancies may maintain smoking in order to reduce hunger and to cope with perceived fluctuations in weight in daily life. It is critical for smoking cessation programs to assess smoking-related weight control expectancies and implement targeted treatments for these women.

Typology of eating episodes in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that youth with overweight/obesity can be subtyped according to disinhibited eating tendencies. No research has attempted to subtype classes of eating episodes along sensational, psychological, and hedonic dimensions. METHODS: Youth (N = 39; 55% female) aged 8-14 y with overweight/obesity completed a 2-week ecological momentary assessment protocol in which they reported on all eating episodes and their sensational, environmental, affective, and interpersonal contexts. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to classify episodes based on loss of control (LOC) while eating, self-reported overeating, food palatability, hunger, and cravings. Classes were compared on affective, interpersonal, appearance-related, and environmental correlates using Wald chi-square tests. RESULTS: LPA identified three classes of eating episodes involving high levels of LOC/self-reported overeating ("binge-like" class), low levels of hunger ("eating-in-the-absence-of-hunger" class), and high hunger and cravings ("appetitive eating" class). Binge-like eating was associated with the highest levels of body dissatisfaction, interpersonal distress, and positive affect, and was most likely to occur in the after-school hours. CONCLUSIONS: Binge-like eating tends to occur in a psychological context relative to other types of eating episodes in youth with overweight/obesity. Future research should explore whether certain classes of eating episodes are associated with distinct weight trajectories over time.

Naturalistically assessed associations between physical activity, affective functioning, and binge eating among adults with binge-eating disorder.

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is associated with overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, and disturbances in affective functioning. While research suggests that physical activity (PA) may have beneficial effects on BED symptoms, little is known about the daily correlates of PA. As a first step in understanding the processes linking PA and binge eating, this study examined associations between PA (i.e., self-reported time engaged in moderate-to-vigorous PA), affective functioning (i.e., positive and negative affect, body satisfaction, emotion regulation), and eating-related cognitions and behaviors (i.e., craving, overeating, loss of control eating) measured via ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Adults with BED (N = 91) completed a seven-day EMA protocol during which they completed repeated measures of these variables. Results indicated individuals who reported greater time engaged in PA over the EMA protocol evidenced higher positive affect and body satisfaction, and lower overeating (between-subjects effects). No significant within-subjects effects were observed. Findings demonstrate that individual differences in PA levels were related to more adaptive affective functioning and eating regulation in daily life. Results highlight the relevance of PA in BED, and the need for future studies to identify the timescale of these relationships using objective measurements of PA.

Dynamic associations between anxiety, stress, physical activity, and eating regulation over the course of a behavioral weight loss intervention.

Negative emotional experiences are associated with dysregulated eating behaviors that impede weight management. While weight loss interventions promote physical activity and self-regulation of eating, no studies have examined how physical activity may directly influence eating by attenuating associations between negative emotions and eating. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined how momentary negative emotions (stress and anxiety), moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), and their interactions predict eating dysregulation (i.e., intensity of eating temptations, inability to resist eating tempting foods, overeating), as well as how these associations change during a weight loss intervention. METHODS: Women with overweight/obesity (N = 55) completed 14-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) protocols with objective measurement of physical activity (i.e., bout-related MVPA time) before and after a three-month internet-based weight loss program. RESULTS: Three-way interactions emerged predicting overeating and eating tempting foods. When women experienced higher than usual levels of momentary anxiety or stress at end-of-treatment, they were less likely to subsequently overeat or eat tempting foods when they had recently engaged in more MVPA (relative to their usual level). No significant associations were found for ratings of temptation intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest MVPA may exert direct effects on eating regulation. Specifically, MVPA appears to increasingly buffer the effect of negative emotional states on dysregulated eating behavior over the course of a weight loss intervention. Future work is needed to develop ways of communicating to patients how activity can have both indirect and direct effects on body weight, and examine whether such knowledge improves outcomes.

Parsing Intra- and Inter-Individual Covariation Between the Sensory Attributes and Appeal of E-Cigarettes: Associations and Gender Differences.

INTRODUCTION: Perceived sensory attributes of e-cigarettes may associate with their appeal. However, limited studies have accounted for individuals' variability in sensory attributes or have addressed how associations of sensory attributes with appeal may differ by gender. METHODS: Individuals (n = 119, 32.8% female) who currently used combustible cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes attended one laboratory session in which they completed a standardized e-cigarette puffing procedure according to a 10 Flavor (green apple, strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, menthol, koolada, peppermint, spearmint, subtle tobacco, and full-flavored tobacco) × 2 Nicotine Formulation (free-base, salt) double-blind factorial design. The mean nicotine concentration was 23.4 (SD = 0.9) mg/mL in the nicotine salt formulations and 23.8 (SD = 1.7) mg/mL in the free-base formulations. Following each trial, participants completed ratings of sensory attributes (sweet, smooth, cool, bitter, harsh) and appeal (mean of liking, disliking [reverse-scored], and willingness-to-use-again ratings). Sensory attributes were partitioned into between-person and within-person variables. Gender was tested as a moderator of associations of sensory attributes with appeal. RESULTS: Sweet, smooth, and cool sensory attributes positively associated with appeal at the between- and within-person level (ps < .001). Bitter and harsh negatively associated with appeal at the between- and within-person level (ps < .001). The associations of between-person sweet, smooth, and cool ratings with appeal was larger in males compared to females. The associations of within-person smooth, bitter, and harsh with appeal was larger in females compared to males. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed important gender differences in associations of sensory attributes and appeal. IMPLICATIONS: While evidence suggests that sensory attributes may contribute to the appeal of e-cigarettes, there is little experimental evidence accounting for individual variability in sensory attributes and whether sensory attribute-appeal associations differ by gender. The current study provides evidence that average sweet, cool, and smooth ratings positively associated with appeal and that these associations were larger in males. Within-person bitter, harsh, and smooth ratings significantly associated with appeal in both genders, but these associations were larger in females compared to males. Data from the current report reinforces the need for researchers to study gender stratified effects in tobacco regulatory science.

Tobacco product use for weight control as an eating disorder behavior: Recommendations for future clinical and public health research.

Tobacco product use (TPU; e.g., smoking, e-cigarettes, other emerging products) is elevated in eating disorders (EDs), yet the phenomenology of tobacco use within EDs has not received much attention. Due to the appetite suppressant effects of tobacco products as well as the array of availability of tobacco products in hedonic flavors (e.g., gummy bear, fruit), TPU may be used for weight control, such as to suppress appetite, satisfy cravings, or for meal replacement. The purpose of this article was to outline theoretical research on TPU for weight control as a mechanism in EDs as well as key areas for future research. We discuss the conceptualization and nature of TPU for weight control and how it may be related to EDs and associated behaviors, TPU patterns and smoking for weight control in EDs, and the effectiveness of current interventions and development of novel intervention protocols for individuals with EDs who use tobacco. Overall, this article outlines novel research questions on TPU in EDs and as a weight control behavior and provides recommendations to clarify the conceptualization and role of TPU within EDs.

Relations among sweet taste preference, body mass index, and use of E-cigarettes for weight control motives in young adults.

While weight control is anecdotally reported as a motive for e-cigarette use, empirical evidence on correlates of weight control vaping motives is largely absent. This study evaluated main effect and interactive associations of body mass index (BMI) and sweet taste food preference-a construct defined by difficulty resisting sweet foods and consuming foods for mood regulation- with e-cigarette weight control motives among young adult e-cigarette users. Young adults (N = 99; 35% women) between the ages of 18-35 who currently used e-cigarettes ≥1 day/week for ≥1 month were recruited in Los Angeles, CA in January-August 2016. Participants completed an e-cigarette product appeal experiment that also involved questionnaire-based measures of vaping motives and participant characteristics, which are this paper's focus. Regression analysis of e-cigarette use for weight control motive outcomes revealed no main effect of BMI, a significant main effect positive association for sweet taste food preference, and a BMI x sweet taste preference interactive relation. The interaction was underpinned by a positive association between sweet taste preference and use of e-cigarettes for weight control at mean and + 1SD levels of BMI and no relation at -1SD BMI levels. Higher sweet taste preference might increase use of e-cigarettes for weight control, particularly in young adults with higher weight. Taking into account sweet taste preference might be useful in interventions promoting healthy weight control strategies instead of e-cigarette use to address overweight/obesity in young adults.

Weight Status and Effects of Non-Tobacco Flavors on E-Cigarette Product Appeal.

BACKGROUND: Flavors in tobacco products may be salient drivers of tobacco product use among people with overweight or obesity. Yet, whether perceived appeal of e-cigarettes with different flavors varies as a function of weight status is unknown. Purpose: To conduct secondary data analyses of a laboratory experiment to examine whether weight moderates differences in perceived appeal of fruit, menthol, and tobacco flavored e-cigarettes in young adults who vape. Methods: Using a within-subjects experimental design, young adults in Los Angeles, CA, USA. (Mage = 25.36 ± 4.42 Range: 18-35) with normal weight (n = 48) or overweight/obesity (n = 51) were administered standardized doses of e-cigarette solutions varying in flavor (fruit, menthol, tobacco). Following each administration, participants rated the appeal of the solution (range: 0-100). Results: The extent to which menthol (vs. tobacco)-flavored e-cigarettes were rated more appealing was amplified among participants with overweight or obesity versus normal weight participants (flavor × weight interaction Estimate = 7.54, p = .01 95% CI = [2.30, 12.80]). There were no differences in the effects of fruit (vs. tobacco) flavored e-cigarettes on appeal as a function of weight status. Conclusions: Menthol flavors in e-cigarettes may be disproportionately appealing to young adults with overweight and obesity.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2021.1899229.