Dietary intake of Australian smokers and nonsmokers

The 1983 National Dietary Survey of Adults and the 1983 Risk Factor Prevalence Survey No. 2, conducted on the same subjects, provided an opportunity to examine the nutrient intakes of smokers (1024 men and 785 women) and nonsmokers (1974 men and 2421 women). The nutrients analysed were energy (kJ); fat (g/day and contribution to energy); starch (contribution to energy); dietary fibre (g/day and g/1000 kJ); alcohol (g/1000 kJ); polyunsaturated/saturated fats ratio; cholesterol, niacin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium (mg/1000 kJ); and vitamin A, thiamin and riboflavin (microgram/1000 kJ). For both men and women, nonsmokers have a significantly higher intake of starch, dietary fibre (g/day and g/1000 kJ), thiamin, vitamin C, calcium and magnesium than smokers, who have a significantly higher intake of alcohol. Male smokers also have a higher intake of energy and cholesterol, but a lower intake of riboflavin, than nonsmokers. These differences in nutrient intakes suggest that nonsmokers consume a more nutritious diet than smokers, in regard to having a higher intake of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals and milk and milk products. There is a highly statistically significant association between smoking status and hazardous intake of alcohol. Both men and women who smoke have a significantly lower body mass index (BMI), than nonsmokers or ex-smokers.