The Adverse Impact of Waterpipe Dependence on Emotions: The Obesity Factor

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity and tobacco, including waterpipe smoking, are associated with diminished emotional well-being. Although concurrent obesity and waterpipe smoking consumption have been reported, the combined effect of these lifestyle components on emotional well-being is unknown. Therefore, the current study compared the positive and negative emotions in adults with waterpipe dependency and obesity. Methods: The study was cross-sectional (n = 691) and conducted between July 2022 and February 2023 using a convenient sampling procedure. Waterpipe dependency was measured using the Lebanese Waterpipe Dependency Scale, whereas obesity was estimated using the calculated body mass index (BMI). The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) was used to obtain emotions. BMI-stratified one-way ANCOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results: Revealed a main effect of waterpipe dependency among the overly obese individuals for both positive and negative PANAS scores (P 0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that dependency on waterpipe smoking was associated with lower positive emotions and greater negative emotions, especially among overly obese individuals. Programs to restrain waterpipe and manage obesity are needed, especially when both are concurrently present.

Keywords

• emotions
• lebanese waterpipe dependency scale
• obesity
• positive and negative affect schedule
• waterpipe dependency