title: Cross-sectional association between cigarette smoking and abdominal obesity among Austrian bank employees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is increasing evidence that smoking is associated with abdominal obesity and other risk factors for the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study is to investigate these associations in a sample of healthy Austrian adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of 986 employees of an Austrian company (405 men and 581 women; participation rate approximately 80%) obtained during their annual medical check-up at the workplace were analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information on smoking status, education level, physical activity, diet, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and biochemical parameters was obtained. The influence of smoking on health and anthropometric measures was investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences in total body fat and/or body fat distribution were found between non-smokers, smokers and former smokers; however, among daily smokers, the number of cigarettes smoked per day was significantly associated with higher body weight (p=0.001) and BMI (p=0.009). Male and female smokers had significantly higher white cell count than non-smokers and former smokers. Heavy smokers also had an unhealthier lipid profile (lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and higher fasting glucose levels even after controlling for physical activity and calorie intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contrary to the beliefs of many smokers, heavy smoking is associated with higher body weight and unfavourable metabolic changes.
authors: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Lizia
authors: L
authors: de Oliveira Fontes Gasperin
authors: Institute of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Manfred
authors: M
authors: Neuberger
authors: Platform Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Tichy
authors: Institute of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Moshammer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001317:Austria; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome; D008875:Middle Aged; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL
keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; NUTRITION & DIETETICS