Binge drinking and cigarette smoking among teens: Does body image play a role?

Adolescence is a critical juncture for the development of one's physical, mental, and social self, which includes body image. Previous research has linked poor body image and substance use in adolescents, but existing research on sex differences in these relationships is conflicting. The current study will examine the relationship between body image and substance use in adolescent males and females using data from the Oregon Youth Substance Use Project (OYSUP), focusing on alcohol and tobacco use. The logistic regression results indicated that females who reported lower satisfaction with body image engaged in more binge drinking and smoking, while the relationship was not significant for males. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.