The Relationship between Body Mass Index and Smoking Cessation Plans in Korean Adults

BACKGROUND: Concerns regarding weight gain after smoking cessation may interfere with quitting smoking. This study investigated the association between smoking cessation plans and body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) in Korean adult smokers. METHODS: Using data from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2015), 3,000 current smokers aged 19 years or older were selected and divided into four weight groups. The cohorts included an underweight group (BMI, <18.5 kg/m(2)), normal weight group (BMI, ≥18.5 to <23 kg/m(2)), overweight group (BMI, ≥23 to <25 kg/m(2)), and obese group (BMI, ≥25 kg/m(2)). The relationship between BMI and smoking cessation plans in Korean adults was analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed sex (odds ratio [OR], 0.723; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.556–0.939), high-risk drinking (OR, 0.796; 95% CI, 0.634–0.998), aerobic physical activity (OR, 1.326; 95% CI, 1.092–1.612), and hypertension (OR, 1.387; 95% CI, 1.034–1.860) were the significant factors related to smoking cessation plans. According to the BMI categories, the ORs of smoking cessation plans were numerically higher in the normal weight group than the other three groups. However, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Normal weight subjects tended to have a greater number of smoking cessation plans than the other three weight groups, but the difference was not statistically significant. In the clinic, it is necessary to consider not only BMI but also other factors associated with a smoking cessation plans.