Introduction: Individuals with obesity who smoke cigarettes have increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The goal of the current study was to inform the development of a multiple health behavior change intervention designed to facilitate smoking cessation while also targeting weight gain.
Methods: Four qualitative focus groups were conducted with individuals who smoked cigarettes and had overweight or obesity (n = 16) to explore the combined effects of smoking and obesity, past attempts to quit smoking or lose weight, and preferences for a combined health intervention.
Results: Focus groups converged on five themes including: the interactive effects of weight and smoking; lack of experience with evidence-based weight loss approaches; a desire and expectation to lose weight quickly; rapid weight gain during past attempts at smoking cessation; and interest in a multiple health behavior change intervention with weight management preceding smoking cessation and an emphasis on planning for the future and receiving encouragement and support.
Conclusions: Groups provided insight into key topics to highlight in a combined intervention and key issues that have interfered with success in both domains.
Keywords: Intervention development; Multiple health behavior change; Obese; Overweight; Smoking cessation.
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