Does Weight Status Differ by Smoking Status in Young Adult Males

Because of the prevalence of both smoking and elevated weight status in the general population and because of the high rate of smoking onset in young adult males, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between weight status and smoking status in young adult males. This cross-sectional analysis used 2017 BRFSS data for males ages 18-44 from Colorado (N=1,344), Kentucky (N=1,131), Michigan (N=1,364), and South Carolina (N=986). Ordered logistic regression was performed separately by state to assess relations between weight status and smoking status. Across states, about the same proportion of participants reported obese (18-34%), overweight (34-41%) and normal (31-41%) weight status. Less than half of participants were either current (18-26%) or former (18-22%) smokers. The results of adjusted statistics showed that weight status was significantly related to smoking status in 3 out of 4 states. Participants who were current smokers were about half as likely to report each successive level of weight status compared to those who reported never smoking. Weight status was related to number of health conditions, general health status, and age. The results generalize to young adult males in a primary care practice. The results of analysis indicated that smoking status was moderately and inversely related to weight status in young adult males. Providers should screen for unhealthy weight status and smoking status in young adult males, and should educate patients about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and on the risks of smoking.