Examining The Relationship Between E-cigarette And Wearable Device Use On Physical Activity In U.S. Adults

PURPOSE: There is currently a lack of literature examining the influences of new technologies, such as e-cigarettes and wearable devices on physical activity. The aim of this analysis is to investigate physical activity levels amongst e-cigarette users based on their wearable device use. METHODS: Secondary free-living data from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey were used in this analysis. Independent variables included wearable device use and current e-cigarette use status. Dependent variables included physical activity per week (minutes) and vigorous physical activity per week (minutes). The sample size analyzed was 5,562 U.S. adults (age 18+). Separate unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were performed for each of the dependent variables using survey analysis. RESULTS: Non-users of wearable devices and e-cigarettes account for 96.6% (95%CI [95.7, 97.6]) of the sample, whereas users of wearable devices and e-cigarettes account for 3.3% (95%CI [1.2, 5.4]) of the sample. Those who use e-cigarettes participate in almost 50% less vigorous physical activity minutes per week than nonusers, 46 (95%CI [0.43, 91.57]) and 93 (95%CI [80.59, 106.34]) minutes respectively. Individuals who use e-cigarettes and use wearable devices were found to spend significantly more time in total physical activity per week in both the unadjusted and adjusted linear regressions, p = 0.01 and p = 0.04 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Combined e-cigarette and wearable device use may influence physical activity levels. More research is needed to determine the effect of e-cigarette use on physical activity levels.