Metabolic differences between men and women who are long-term users of the water pipe: The Irbid WiHi project

Smoking tobacco and metabolic disorders are global epidemics associated with cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, and metabolic diseases. Cigarette smoking seems to affect metabolic disorders. However, the effect of water pipe (Wp), also called hookah, smoking duration on obesity and lipid profile is still a sparse. The present study examined the relationship of smoking Wp with body weight (Bw), body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), total cholesterol/HDLc, LDLc/HDLc, and triglycerides. Obesity, lipid profile, and smoking status were obtained from a total of 291 participants of which 147 smoked Wp. Smokers were divided into 3 groups: smoked <10 years (Wp1) (n = 72), smoked 10-20 years (Wp2) (n = 43), and smoked >20 years (Wp3) (n = 30). The ANCOVA revealed greater BMI and Bw and lipid profile measures in individuals smoking Wp vs never (P < .01). Additional analysis revealed that Bw and BMI were greater in the women (n = 11) with longer Wp smoking history (P < .05) but not the men (n = 19). In addition, Tc, LDLc, Tc/HDLc, and LDLc/HDLc levels were greater among the men smoking Wp for longer time (P < .05), but not the women. In conclusion, the study found greater obesity and lipid profile in the adults smoked Wp vs never, especially the ones smoked for longer time.