Body shape, body size and cigarette smoking relationships

Abstract

Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to explore whether smoking is positively related with the abdominal obesity.

Methods:

Cross-sectional data was analyzed from a random sample of 1,342 subjects, stratified by their age and gender. Cigarette smoking habits were assessed and anthropometric measures obtained during the health examination.

Results:

Statistically significant differences in waist circumference and waist-hip ratio were found among males in some of the age groups, body mass index however, was lower in older smokers. There were no differences between female smokers and non-smokers in all parameters.

Conclusion:

The results of the study do not support the hypothesis that smoking affects an abnormal fat distribution profile predominantly in the form of central adiposity as reported earlier.