Date of Conferral

7-18-2024

Date of Award

July 2024

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Manoj Sharma

Abstract

Despite public health efforts, e-cigarette use among youths persists, posing risks due to high nicotine content and the potential for transitioning to traditional cigarette smoking. Although sports participation has shielded individuals from traditional cigarette use, recent studies revealed a higher susceptibility to e-cigarette use among young athletes, though influencing factors were unexplored. Using the socioecological model, this retrospective cross-sectional study examined the relationship between sports participation, weight intentions, insufficient sleep, and e-cigarette use among U.S. high school students by analyzing 2021 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey data. Binary logistic regression assessed associations between variables. An interaction term examined the moderating roles of weight intentions and insufficient sleep on the relationship between sports participation and e-cigarette use. The analysis found significant associations between weight intentions and insufficient sleep with e-cigarette use. Students with insufficient sleep (OR = 1.67, p < .001) and those managing their weight had higher odds of e-cigarette use (OR = 1.52, p < .001). No significant direct association was found between sports participation and e-cigarette use, and weight intentions or insufficient sleep did not moderate this relationship. Public health interventions could include a holistic health education approach to promote healthy weight management and adequate sleep. Implementing educational interventions to address these factors may drive positive social change at various levels of influence, promoting healthier futures for youths.

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