title: Health behaviors among short- and long- term ex-smokers: results from the Thai National Health Examination Survey IV, 2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although numerous studies have shown the health behaviors of ex-smokers to be better than those in regular smokers, the differences in health behaviors among ex-smokers at varying durations of cessation have not been investigated. This study aims to examine the relationship between different durations of smoking cessation and health behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on dietary intake, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and smoking behavior from the Thai National Health Examination Survey IV for subjects aged 15-98 years (n=19 371) were included in the analysis. Trends between health behaviors among regular smokers, ex-smokers with different durations of smoking (<1 year, 1-10 years, >10 years), and never smokers were tested. Logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, and economic status were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalences of regular smoking, ex-smoking, and never smoking were 22.3%, 12% , and 65.7%, respectively. A trend was found for consumption of fruit, beans and meats, dairy and soy milk, whole-grain products, nutritional supplements, and eating habits. Average daily alcohol consumption (g) was lowest among ex-smokers who had quit for>10 years ex-smokers (16.4) followed by 1-10 years ex-smokers (27.2), and <1 year ex-smokers (33.7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A longer duration of smoking cessation correlated with better health behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand. rassamee_sangthong@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rassamee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sangthong
authors.forename: Wit
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wichaidit
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McNeil
authors.forename: Virasakdi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chongsuvivatwong
authors.forename: Suwat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chariyalertsak
authors.forename: Pattapong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kessomboon
authors.forename: Surasak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taneepanichskul
authors.forename: Panwadee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Putwatana
authors.forename: Wichai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Aekplakorn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology