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Intentional weight loss and smoking in young adults

International Journal of Obesity volume 28, pages 796–802 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether current smoking and lifetime snuff use are associated with a lifetime history of major (≥5 kg) intentional weight loss in young adults, and to examine the dependence of this association on familial factors.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based questionnaire survey of young adult Finnish twins participating in the fourth wave of the longitudinal FinnTwin-16-study in 2000–2002.

SUBJECTS: A total of 4521 young adult Finnish twins aged 23–27 y.

MEASUREMENTS: Questionnaire data on the number of intentional weight-loss episodes and on body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking and snuff use, educational level, and number of subjects' own children.

RESULTS: Current daily smoking was strongly associated with a history of two or more intentional major weight-loss episodes (lost ≥5 kg twice or more lifetime) both in women odds ratio (OR 1.87; 95%; confidence interval (CI) 1.39–2.50) and in men (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.37–2.90). Frequent lifetime snuff use was statistically significantly associated with recurrent intentional weight loss episodes in men (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.08–2.13). Among the twin pairs discordant for daily smoking, the smoking twin was more likely than the nonsmoking co-twin to have recurrent intentional weight-loss episodes (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.03–2.41). These episodes were also strongly associated with high BMI. Education was inversely related to recurrent intentional weight-loss episodes in men.

CONCLUSION: Tobacco use is strongly associated with a lifetime history of recurrent intentional major weight-loss episodes in early adulthood. This represents a major challenge to existing attitudes on smoking prevention and the promotion of healthful weight control.

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Acknowledgements

Data collection and analyses were supported by the Academy of Finland, Research Council of Health (Grants #53585, #44069, #52277), and by PHS-NIAAA (AA 08315 and AA 00145) SES has received financial support from the Doctoral Program of Public Health, University of Helsinki, the Emil Aaltonen Foundation, and the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation (4893).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland

    S E Saarni, K Silventoinen, S Sarlio-Lähteenkorva & J Kaprio

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland

    A Rissanen

  3. Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Finland

    J Kaprio

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Correspondence to S E Saarni.

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Saarni, S., Silventoinen, K., Rissanen, A. et al. Intentional weight loss and smoking in young adults. Int J Obes 28, 796–802 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802627

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