Dual Use of Cannabis with Tobacco Is Associated with Increased Sugary Food and Drink Intake in Young People

Niamh Malhotra, Nikita Kasaraneni, Zoya Ahadian, Howard Chang, Ira Advani, Jade McDermott, Caitlyn Truong, Samvel Gaboyan, Ankita Mittal, Alexia Perryman, Jorge A. Masso-Silva, Christine M. Steeger, Russell P. Bowler, Peter J. Castaldi, Sunita Sharma and Laura E. Crotty Alexander ()
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Niamh Malhotra: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Nikita Kasaraneni: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Zoya Ahadian: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Howard Chang: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Ira Advani: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Jade McDermott: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Caitlyn Truong: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Samvel Gaboyan: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Ankita Mittal: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Alexia Perryman: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Jorge A. Masso-Silva: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Christine M. Steeger: Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
Russell P. Bowler: Department of Genomic Sciences and Systems Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
Peter J. Castaldi: Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Sunita Sharma: Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
Laura E. Crotty Alexander: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: Rates of cannabis initiation among teenagers and young adults are increasing. Further, the use of various forms of cannabis (smoked or vaped) with nicotine (dual use) is increasingly common among young people. The health effects of dual use are lesser known, particularly in the context of high-potency cannabis products and across different routes of administration, which is ominous in terms of predicting future health outcomes. There is a long history of cannabis use being associated with decreased activity and increased snacking, both of which could portend an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease, particularly when these habits begin during formative years. However, modern forms of cannabis may not have these same effects. Here, we assess whether cannabis use alone and dual use of cannabis with nicotine impact dietary and exercise habits in young people. An anonymous, social media-based survey was designed based on the UC San Diego Inhalant Questionnaire and published diet and exercise questionnaires. A total of 457 surveys were completed. Young sole cannabis users represented 29% of responders, 16% were dual users of cannabis and nicotine, and 55% were non-users of either drug. Although the sole use of cannabis was not associated with dietary or activity differences relative to non-users, dual users of cannabis and nicotine reported higher consumption of unhealthy sugars. This novel finding of dual use being associated with increased sugar intake in young people raises concerns for an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in this population.

Keywords: marijuana; THC; exercise; diet; tobacco; nicotine; e-cigarettes; teenagers and young adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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