BMI and smoking: interrelated factors among cessation website users

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Smoking is a significant public health concern with numerous associated health risks.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) is a key indicator of body fatness and a predictor of various health outcomes.
• Understanding the interplay between smoking behaviors and BMI is crucial for targeted health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and smoking status.
• To investigate the relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) and obesity.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered online to 2243 participants via smokefree.gov and women.smokefree.gov.
• Data collected included demographic information, height, weight, and smoking habits (status and CPD).
• Statistical analyses were performed to assess associations between BMI, smoking status, and CPD, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

• The average BMI varied across smoking groups: never smokers (26.3), former smokers (27.9), intermittent smokers (27.4), and daily smokers (28.1).
• Obesity prevalence was higher among daily (31.2%) and former smokers (32.3%) compared to never (22.0%) and intermittent smokers (26.1%).
• A positive correlation was observed between the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) and the odds of being obese, even after adjusting for potential confounders.

Conclusions:

• While smokers' BMIs may resemble the general population, a significant positive correlation exists between BMI and CPD.
• Higher daily cigarette consumption is associated with increased odds of obesity.
• Findings highlight the complex relationship between smoking intensity and weight status, informing public health strategies.