The impact of vaping/cigarette smoking on physical activity among youth in Canada: a longitudinal analysis of COMPASS data from 2021-2023

Background: This study examined the association between exclusive vaping/smoking status and meeting the Canadian Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) guidelines (60 minutes/day) and the average weekly minutes of MVPA, and how these associations differed by gender. Methods: A longitudinal analysis of a sample of high school students from British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec who participated in the Canadian COMPASS study from 2021-2023. Results: Students who exclusively vape (OR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.01, 1.33]) and those who smoke (OR = 1.28, 95% CI [1.03, 1.58]) were more likely to meet the MVPA guidelines at follow-up. Exclusive vaping was positively associated with average weekly MVPA minutes (β = 46.30, 95% CI [12.10, 80.50]). The results differed among gender subgroups. Discussion: Differences between unadjusted and adjusted models suggest that confounding and Sampson's paradox influence observed associations. Further longitudinal research is needed to explore long-term trends between vaping/smoking and physical activity.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Health Sciences (MHSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community, Public and Population Health

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Aljouuda, Shaker

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cole, Adam

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/1998

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/1998