Positive Health Online

Abstract

WALMSLEY and colleagues, MRC Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge UK studied the relationship between cigarette smoking and a range of nutrient intakes and blood status indices in older people .

Background

Methodology

This was the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, a cross-sectional survey of representative sample of people aged 65 years and older in mainland Britain during 1994/95. Participants included 1191 people, including 619 males, 575 females, aged 65 years and over, of whom 920 were living in private households and 271 in institutions.

Results

Cigarette smoking was inversely correlated with antioxidant and other micronutrients intakes, following adjustment for age, sex and domicile. Cigarette smoking was also inversely correlated with a number of antioxidant micronutrient status indices including plasma vitamin C and the carotenoids, but not vitamin E and other micronutrients, including pyridoxal phsophate, red cell and serum folate, following adjustment for age, sex, domicile. Previous cigarette smoking or cigar/pipe smoking was not generally associated with lower nutrient intakes of status indices; however current and previous cigarette smoking was associated with increased concentrations of acute phase indicators. Additional adjustment for total energy intake and/or sociodemographic, health and drug usage variables attenuated a few of the observed associations.

Conclusion

Older people who smoke cigarettes are at increased risk of suboptimal antioxidant and other micronutrient intakes and status; however the lower intakes found in cigarette smokers only partially explains the reduced blood indices.

References

Walmsley CM et al. Relationship between cigarette smoking and nutrient intakes and blood status indices of older people living in the UK: further analysis of data from the national Diet and Nutrition Survey of people aged 65 years and over, 1994/95. Public Health Nutrition 2(2): 199-208. Jun 1999.