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Tobacco smoking in relation to body fat mass and distribution in a general population sample

International Journal of Obesity volume 28, pages 1091–1096 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of variable amounts of tobacco smoking on body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio among current smokers.

DESIGN: Population-based cohort study.

SUBJECTS: A total of 22 059 apparently healthy men and women, who enrolled in the Greek EPIC cohort, aged 25–84 years, who had never smoked (14 751) or were current cigarette smokers (7308).

MEASUREMENTS: Body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio (by anthropomentry), amount of tobacco smoking and energy expenditure (by an interviewer-administered, lifestyle questionnaire), energy intake and ethanol intake (by an interviewer-administered, validated, semiquantitative, food frequency questionnaire), at enrollment.

RESULTS: In comparison to nonsmokers, smokers of the average number of cigarettes have lower body mass index. Among smokers, however, increased amount of smoking tends to be positively associated with body mass index, particularly among men. Waist-to-hip ratio is positively associated with amount of cigarettes smoked per day, among both men and women.

CONCLUSION: Among smokers, tobacco smoking is positively associated with body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio. Our data suggest that the lower body mass index of smokers compared to nonsmokers reflects personality characteristics of those who choose to smoke and that the tendency to gain weight after smoking cessation may have behavioral rather than tobacco-related pharmacological roots.

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Acknowledgements

The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) is coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (World Health Organization) and supported by the Europe Against Cancer Program of the European Commission. The Greek segment of the EPIC study is also supported by the Greek Ministry of Health and the Greek Ministry of Education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece

    C Bamia & A Trichopoulou

  2. Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries, Technological Educational Institute of Epirus, Igoumenitsa, Greece

    D Lenas

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    D Trichopoulos

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  1. C Bamia
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  2. A Trichopoulou
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  3. D Lenas
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  4. D Trichopoulos
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Correspondence to C Bamia.

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Bamia, C., Trichopoulou, A., Lenas, D. et al. Tobacco smoking in relation to body fat mass and distribution in a general population sample. Int J Obes 28, 1091–1096 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802697

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