Abstract B005: Decídetexto: Assessment of weight change after smoking cessation treatment in Latino smokers
Authors: Rieth Katherine K.S. , Arana Evelyn , Cartujano-Barrera Francisco , McIntosh Scott , Cupertino Ana Paula 
Published: January 2023

Objective: The objective of this study is to describe weight change among Latinos participating in a randomized, culturally appropriate mobile smoking cessation intervention. Background: More than 60% of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. are attributed to tobacco use, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity. Weight gain is one of the possible barriers to smoking cessation success. The obesity rate among Latinos (44.8%) is the second-highest rate among all racial and ethnic groups. Furthermore, Latino adults have the highest rate of inactivity and 75% of Latinos do not meet the recommended levels of fruit/vegetable consumption. Therefore, the relationship between smoking cessation and weight gain among Latinos is an important aspect to consider in smoking cessation treatment for these underrepresented communities. Methods: The present study describes the weight change of participants in a culturally-tailored mobile smoking cessation program (Decídetexto) over six months. Participants were randomized to one of two conditions: 1) Decídetexto, or 2) standard care (printed materials, referral to quitline). Baseline and 6-month follow-up assessments were performed. The cessation outcome was cotinine-verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence. Weight and BMI were compared from baseline to 6-month to verify the impact of smoking cessation on weight. These changes were also compared from baseline to 6-month among intervention participants vs standard treatment participants to assess any impact of the intervention on weight. Results: Subjects (n=348) had complete weight information to be included in this analysis. Most participants were in the overweight and obese BMI categories at baseline (n=259, 74.4%). At 6 months, there was no significant change in BMI status among all participants. Weight change among those who quit at 6 months compared to those who did not quit smoking was also not statistically significant (p=.70). Quitters had an overall higher amount of absolute weight gain by one pound compared to non-quitters at 6 months (5.04±5.02 lbs vs 4.31±4.09 lbs, respectively) which was not statistically significant (p=0.33). In both the intervention and control groups, more subjects did gain weight overall (n=60,36.2% vs n=69,37.9%, respectively). More subjects lost weight in the control group compared to the intervention group (n=55,30.22% vs n=48,28.9%, respectively). Approximately one-third of both the intervention and control groups did not change their weight (n=58,34.9%, vs n=58,37.9%). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in any weight change direction (p=0.95). Conclusion: Participants in a culturally-tailored mobile smoking cessation program for Latino smokers did not experience significant changes in weight compared to standard treatment. Importantly, those who quit smoking also did not experience significant changes in weight. This is an outcome that could inform future counseling of participants in smoking cessation programs, as fear of weight gain is a significant barrier to quit success.

Citation Format: Katherine K.S. Rieth, Evelyn Arana, Francisco Cartujano-Barrera, Scott McIntosh, Ana Paula Cupertino. Decídetexto: Assessment of weight change after smoking cessation treatment in Latino smokers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B005.