The combined relations of adiposity and smoking on mortality

Abstract

Background:Smoking and high adiposity are strong independent health risk factors but are also interrelated. Smoking is related to a lower body mass index (BMI) but not necessarily with a smaller waist circumference. Smoking cessation is associated with increased body weight and a substantial increase in waist circumference. How this affects mortality risk is unknown. Objective:This study examined the combined relations of smoking status with BMI and waist circumference and smoking status to all-cause mortality. Design:Data were from 149 502 men and 88 184 women aged 51–72 y participating in the National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study. All-cause mortality was assessed over 10 y of follow-up from 1996 to 2006. Results:Current smokers with a BMI (in kg/m2) <18.5 or ≥35 had a mortality risk 6–8 times that of persons within the normal BMI range who never smoked. Current smokers with a large waist circumference had a mortality risk about 5 times that of never smokers with a waist circumference in the second quintile. Conclusion:Both smoking and adiposity are independent predictors of mortality, but the combination of current or recent smoking with a BMI ≥ 35 or a large waist circumference is related to an especially high mortality risk.