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Obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and mortality
P H Chyou1, C M Burchfiel, K Yano
1Marshfield Medical Research Foundation, Marshfield Clinic, WI, USA.
Annals of Epidemiology
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Obesity, alcohol, and smoking significantly impact mortality. Low body mass combined with heavy drinking poses the highest risk, highlighting the synergistic effect of these lifestyle factors on overall health.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Lifestyle factors such as obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking are significant contributors to overall mortality.
- Understanding the independent and combined effects of these factors is crucial for public health interventions.
- Previous research has indicated potential links, but the synergistic interactions require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively assess the impact of obesity, alcohol use, and smoking on total mortality.
- To investigate the etiologic hypothesis that individuals with multiple risk factors face an elevated mortality risk.
- To identify specific interactions between these lifestyle factors and their combined effect on mortality.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 8006 Japanese-American men aged 45-68 years was studied from 1965-1968.
- Data on body mass index (BMI), alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking were collected.
- Follow-up over 22 years identified 2667 deaths from all causes, with extensive person-years of observation.
Main Results:
- A significant J-shaped relationship was observed between BMI and overall mortality.
- Alcohol intake also showed a weaker J-shaped risk pattern.
- Cigarette smoking demonstrated a strong positive association with mortality.
- A statistically significant synergistic interaction was found between low BMI and moderate to heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.0017), leading to a 63% excess risk.
Conclusions:
- Cigarette smoking is confirmed to shorten lifespan.
- Extreme BMI values (high or low) and high alcohol consumption are independently detrimental to health.
- The combination of low body mass and moderate to heavy alcohol intake presents a significantly elevated health risk, potentially due to poor nutrient intake associated with low BMI.