Effect Of Smoking On Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure And Pulse Pressure In Chronic Smokers.

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: This study was conducted to depict the influence of cigarette smoking on changes in body weight as well as changes in blood pressure. The significance of this study lies in the fact that chronic smoking contributes to unhealthy weight. Further a comparison was done between Body mass index and Blood Pressure as per smoking load (average number of cigarettes multiplied by average duration of smoking) in chronic smokers. Methodology: In the present study, chronic smokers from outpatient clinic were selected randomly; subjects were then divided into two groups as per their smoking load. Out of them 33 with smoking load less than 50,000 and 32 with smoking load more than 50,000 were selected, their BMI was calculated, SBP and DBP were recorded and pulse pressure was derived. Based on these calculations, values were analyzed by Z test. p values of less than 0.1 was considered significant. Results: Results showed that BMI of chronic smokers with smoking load more than 50,000 was lower than those having smoking load less than 50,000 (p<0.05). Observations of Blood pressure revealed that the ones having smoking load higher than 50,000 had lower systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure (p<0.1 and p<0.05 respectively) whereas values of diastolic blood pressure had no significant changes. Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between smoking load and Body mass index as well as between smoking load and systolic blood pressure. The study showed that smoking is independently associated with reduced BMI and reduced systolic BP.