The Relationship between Cigarette Smoking and Obesity in the Adolescents

Background: The social problems of cigarette smoking and obesity are increasing and they threaten the health and daily life of the both the young and old adults. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between cigarette smoking and obesity. Methods: The study subjects were recruited from the middle and high school located in Ansan city. We used the self-questionnaire to evaluate their general information including cigarette smoking at enrollment and 8,589 students informations were gathered. Data were classified into three groups (normal body weight, over weight and obesity). Smoking status was classified into past, current, and non smoker and analyzed the relationship with obesity and some life-style patterns. Methods: The study subjects were recruited from the middle and high school located in Ansan city. We used the self-questionnaire to evaluate their general information including cigarette smoking at enrollment and 8,589 students informations were gathered. Data were classified into three groups (normal body weight, over weight and obesity). Smoking status was classified into past, current, and non smoker and analyzed the relationship with obesity and some life-style patterns. Results: Body weight and body mass index of the girls were significantly higher in the current smokers (52.4 +/- 12.2 kg, 19.8 +/- 3.5 kg/m(2)) than in the non-smokers (49.5 +/- 7.7 kg, 19.3 +/- 2.6 kg/m(2)) and in the boys, body weight was higher in the current smokers (60.3 +/- 10.7 kg, 20.4 +/- 3.1 kg/m(2)) than in the non-smokers (57.5 +/- 12.1 kg, 20.3 +/- 3.3 kg/m(2)), which was not significant. The odds ratios of having obesity were 2.33 (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24 to 3.34) in the current smokers and 2.04 (P < 0.001; 95% CI, 1.36 to 4.0) in the past smokers compared with the non-smokers in the girls. In the boys, there were no significance. Also, all students of the dietary pattern (breakfast, fast food, instant noodle, snack, soft drink) were associated with smoking status significantly. Conclusion: The current smokers showed higher prevalence of obesity and obesity-related dietary pattern than in the nonsmokers. Cigarette smoking may be associated with obesity in the school girls.