Association Between Smoking Exposure and Obesity in Turkey

Introduction: Obesity and smoking, has become a public health concern and both of them are like a treated disease increasing every day. Tobacco smoke is the most important source of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. The chemicals that cause obesity, called obesogen, are quite new and important research topic. Objective: Past decade study results show that toxic chemical substance exposure increased obesity prevalence. This study aim to investigate smoking, obesity, and their relationship in Turkey. Methods: Study designed as cross sectional analysis of a survey. The 25‑question survey was administered to man. The 31‑question survey was administered to female. Body Mass Index was calculated and subjects were classified as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese according to WHO criteria. Also smoking status in study group were also recorded. The datas were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The research group consists of 406 (205 female, 201 male) (Mage 38,51±8.33) adult and between the ages of 18-65 years old (Male Mage=40.28±8.39; Female Mage=36.77±7.92). Results of this study 44.03% of adults were obese, 36.8% smoked, and 18.0% smoked and were obese. The relationship between cigarettes smoked and body-mass index was non-significant (p>0.05). Conclusions and Recommendations: This is a seminal study to evaluate the possible risk of obesity in Turkish smokers. In the futue a new studies should be made in Turkey aimed to investigate the relationship passive smoking exposure and obesity.