Abstract
Objective This study was aimed to clarify differences in the medical examination data of ex-smokers in reference to those of smokers and non-smokers.
Methods From 19410 males who underwent medical check-ups at Kasugai City Medical Care Center between April 1994 and March 2002, an ex-smoker group (93 subjects), a smoker group (135 subjects) and a non-smoker group (120 subjects) were defined. The following data were recorded for people in each of the three groups in four consecutive annual examinations body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentration. Changes in these measurements over time were calculated for each group and their differences were compared.
Results The body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, blood pressure, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol remained roughly the same or increased slightly for the smoker and non-smoker groups. No remarkable differences were observed in any data categories for the ex-smoker group between the year prior to smoking cessation and the year after cessation. However, significant increases were measured after 1 year in the following 1.3 kg in body weight,0.5 kg/m2 in body mass index,0.7% in body fat percentage,1.7 mmHg in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure,8.6 mg/dl in total cholesterol and 2.9 mg/dl in HDL cholesterol. Increased blood pressure and total cholesterol were correlated strongly with increased body fat.
Conclusion It appears necessary for medical practitioners to advise clients to quit smoking and provide guidance regarding the importance of minimizing gains in body weight and body fat which lead to hypertension or hyperlipidemia after quitting smoking.