[Comparison of life habits and health examination data between smokers and ex-smokers]

Health practice and health examination data were compared between smokers and ex-smokers in 6,076 male subjects, whose ages ranged from 40 to 59 years, who participated in health examinations in 1993 in 17 towns of Gunma Prefecture. A total of 4,629 (76.2%) subjects replied to the interview on health practice and also had health examination data that could be used. The numbers of smokers and ex-smokers were 2,681 and 245, respectively for a total of 2,926 target population. The percentage for those having breakfast daily was significantly higher in ex-smokers than in smokers in the age 40's group (p < 0.01). The percentage for those doing exercise more than one day a week was significantly higher in ex-smokers than in smokers in the age 50's group (p < 0.05). Mean body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in ex-smokers than in smokers in the age 40's and 50's groups, with p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively. Mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) was significantly higher in ex-smokers than in smokers in the age 40's group (p < 0.05). The two way analysis of variance on BMI and HDLC was conducted by smoking and drinking factors. BMI was related to only smoking in the age 40's and 50's groups. Smoking and drinking habit related to HDLC in the age 40's group and the latter habit had a relatively large association to HDLC. From the association between BMI and smoking habit, we speculate that exercise was practiced by ex-smokers due to the obesity potential of the ex-smoking status.