Relationship between Food Dependence and Nicotine Dependence in Smokers: A Cross-Sectional Study of Staff and Students at Medical Colleges

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between nicotine dependence and food dependence in smokers. Smoking and obesity are both serious public health problems that give rise to diseases and increased medical expenses. Nicotine dependence is one of the sources of difficulty in smoking cessation, while food dependence is one of the causes of obesity. Materials and Methods: We examined the data of 72 (smoking vs. nonsmoking) and 62 (nicotine dependence vs. no nicotine dependence) subjects among 321 staff and students at medical colleges in Kagawa and Okayama prefectures in Japan. Results: There was a significant difference in food dependence (except women) between the smoking and nonsmoking groups (total: smoking 4.7 ± 6.1, nonsmoking 2.1 ± 2.0, p = 0.0411; men: smoking 4.0 ± 4.7, nonsmoking 2.0 ± 2.1, p = 0.0490). There was also a significant difference in food dependence (except women) between the nicotine dependence and no nicotine dependence groups (total: nicotine dependence 4.6 ± 6.3, no nicotine dependence 2.0 ± 2.1, p = 0.0370; men: nicotine dependence 3.6 ± 4.8, no nicotine dependence 1.6 ± 1.8, p = 0.0489). Conclusion: The findings showed that the smoking group (and nicotine dependence group) had higher food dependence than the nonsmoking group (and no nicotine dependence group). Our results indicate an interdependence between nicotine and food dependences.