Objectives: In recent decades, obesity reached epidemic proportions in western countries, while cigarette smoking decreased. Traditionally, smoking is associated with lower relative weight (body mass index, BMI) but high abdominal obesity (waist-hip ratio, WHR). However, several recent studies suggest that BMI is higher among today’s smokers compared with non-smokers. Therefore, the present study examined whether the relationship between smoking and each of the body measures, BMI and WHR, has changed over time. Material and Methods: Data were collected from 5907 male and female residents of Gothenburg, Sweden, aged 25-65 years, and drawn randomly in four sequential cross-sections (1985, 1990, 1995, 2002) from the city’s population register. The study used general linear models to test trends over time, and adjusted all differences for age. Results: The data reported here showed higher WHR in both male and female smokers compared with non-smokers. BMI was lower in female smokers compared with female non-smokers, but did not differ significantly between male smokers and male non-smokers. Among female participants, differences in WHR between smokers and non-smokers increased significantly throughout the study. Although male participants showed a similar tendency, the differences were not significant. Adjustment for educational level did not affect the results. Conclusions: WHR was higher among smokers compared with non-smokers; this difference increased over time. Thus, concern for obesity does not provide a valid reason to continue smoking; on the contrary, it may be a reason to quit. / <p>ISBN 978-91-86739-06-5</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:norden-3140 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Webb, Lisa |
| Publisher | Nordic School of Public Health NHV |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | Master of Public Health, MPH, 1104-5701 ; MPH 2011:1 |
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