Studies in the distribution of body fat: III. effects of cigarette smoking

Article Abstract:

Cigarette smoking, obesity and the distribution of body fat are interrelated. Some people decide to start smoking to control their weight. They do not take into account the effects that cigarette smoking may have on the distribution of body fat. The smoking habits, body mass index (a measure of obesity) and the waist-hip ratio were examined in over 1,000 men. When age was taken into account, cigarette smokers weighed significantly less and had lower body mass index results than nonsmokers. In addition, smokers had significantly higher waist-hip ratios than nonsmokers. The number of cigarettes smoked directly affected the waist- hip ratio. During a series of follow-up visits, those subjects who stopped smoking gained weight, and those who started smoking lost weight, as expected. However, the increase in the waist-hip ratio for those subjects who had quit smoking was much less than the expected increase if they had continued smoking. Those men who started smoking increased (worsened) their waist-hip ratio, despite their weight loss. The results indicate that cigarette smoking has a harmful effect on the pattern of distribution of body fat, and this fact reinforces the notion that cigarette smoking is not a wise method of controlling body weight.

Adipose tissues, Adipose tissue, Tobacco habit

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Cigarette smoking cessation and extracranial carotid atherosclerosis

Article Abstract:

Atherosclerosis is a common form of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) in which plaque deposits containing cholesterol, fatty materials or cells that absorb fat form along the walls of large and medium-sized arteries. It has been established that cigarette smoking increases the risk for carotid atherosclerosis, the formation of plaque in the principle artery of the neck. The effect of quitting cigarette smoking on the development of atherosclerosis in the carotid artery was studied. The difference in the average thicknesses of plaque in the carotid artery was smaller between nonsmokers and past smokers than between nonsmokers and current smokers. The sex and race of the participants did not affect the outcome. The results suggest that quitting smoking may have a positive, slowing effect on the rate of progression of carotid atherosclerosis, regardless of sex or race.

Causes of, Atherosclerosis, Carotid artery diseases

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Effect of smoking on the activity of ischemic heart disease

Article Abstract:

Cigarette smoking is known to be linked with coronary heart disease, or the blockage of the artery which supplies the heart muscle. The effect of smoking on the heartbeat was studied in 65 patients with chronic stable signs of coronary heart disease, 24 of which were smokers and 41 of which were nonsmokers. A total of 975 episodes in which part of the heartbeat weakened due to lack of blood supply (ischemia) were measured. Such episodes were three times as frequent and lasted 12 times longer in smokers, even when potentially confounding variables were taken into account. The results provide objective evidence of a strong association between the amount of myocardial ischemia and smoking in patients with coronary artery disease and indicate that such patients suffer more loss of blood supply to the heart muscle during daily life than do nonsmokers.

Coronary heart disease, Ischemia

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