title: Obesity and smoking: comparing cessation treatment seekers with the general smoking population.
abstract: Obesity and smoking represent the leading preventable causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. This study compared the prevalence of obesity among smokers seeking cessation treatment (n=1,428) vs. a general population (n=4,081) of never smokers, former smoker, and current smokers. Data from treatment-seeking smokers in the Wisconsin Smokers' Health Study (WSHS) and individuals who completed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006 were pooled and obesity rates and other health characteristics were compared. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher among WSHS treatment-seeking smokers (36.8%) vs. NHANES current smokers (29.6%), but the obesity rates of WSHS treatment-seeking smokers did not differ from NHANES former smokers (36.5%) or never smokers (36.5%). Treatment-seeking smokers were more likely to be female and to have higher educational attainment compared to NHANES participants. Analysis of health characteristics revealed that treatment-seeking smokers had higher levels of dietary fiber and vitamin C and lower blood levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose compared to NHANES current smokers. Results suggest that treatment-seeking smokers may have a different health profile than current smokers in the general population. Health care providers should be aware of underlying heath issues, particularly obesity, in patients seeking smoking cessation treatment.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Tara.larowe@fammed.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Tara L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: LaRowe
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Piper
authors.forename: Tanya R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Schlam
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: Timothy B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000032:analysis; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D008055:Lipids; D001205:Ascorbic Acid