Cigarette smoking and its relation to anthropometric characteristics and biochemical variables in Jerusalem...

The relationship of weight, height, Quetelet index, hematocrit and blood levels of thyroxine, globulin, bilirubin, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase and glucose to smoking was studied in a Jerusalem population sample of youngsters aged 17 yr and their parents. Among youngsters, male smokers had a higher body mass index than did male nonsmokers. In adults, both men and women smokers were slightly leaner than ex-smokers and, in women, smokers were clearly leaner than those who had never smoked. Generally, the associations of smoking with the biochemical variables were weaker in youngsters than in adults. In men, lower mean levels of creatinine, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid were observed among smokers. Hematocrit levels were somewhat higher in both young and adult smokers of both sexes, being more so in adults. Smokers showed consistently lower globulin levels than did nonsmokers. Plasma glucose levels were somewhat lower in youngsters of both sexes who smoked. Serum thyroxine levels were slightly increased in female smokers, suggesting a hormonal effect of smoking. These findings are discussed in light of the published literature.