The Relationship between Smoking, BMI, Physical Activity, and Dietary Intake among Thai Adults in Central Thailand
Nattinee Jitnarin MS*,**, Vongsvat Kosulwat PhD**, Atitada Boonpraderm MS**, C Keith Haddock PhD*, Walker SC Poston PhD, MPH*
Affiliation : * Department of Informatic Medicine and Personalized Health, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, MO, USA ** Mahidol University Institute of Nutrition, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : Evaluate dietary intake, physical activity, and BMI in adult Thais stratified by smoking status,
living in the central region of Thailand.
Material and Method: Participants (n = 1,027) were administered a health questionnaires, 24-h dietary
recall, and anthropometric measurements were obtained.
ResultS: Compared to ex-smokers (24.5 + 4.3 kg/m2) and non-smokers (24.8 + 4.0 kg/m2), current smokers
(22.6 + 3.8 kg/m2) had significantly lower BMIs, regardless of gender (p < 0.001). In addition, male smokers
had smaller waist circumferences than non-smokers. There were no statistically significant differences in
nutrient intake or physical activity based on smoking status. Results from this study are consistent with others
reports showing that smoking is associated with lower weights and BMI when compared to non-smokers. The
mechanism for this association may be related to the potential for nicotine to increase metabolic rate rather
than appetite suppression in smokers.
Conclusion : Because the substantial negative health consequences of smoking are far stronger than those
associated with modest weight differences, smoking cannot be viewed as an appropriate weight management
strategy.
Keywords : Smoking, BMI, Physical activity, Dietary intake, Thai
