@article{ref1,
title="Smoking, obesity, and their co-occurrence in the U.S. military veterans: results from the national health and resilience in veterans study",
journal="Journal of affective disorders",
year="2020",
author="Stefanovics, Elina A. and Potenza, Marc N. and Pietrzak, Robert H.",
volume="274",
number="",
pages="354-362",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Smoking and obesity are major public health concerns, though little is known about the mental and physical health burden of co-occurring obesity and smoking. METHODS: Using a nationally representative sample of U.S. military veterans, we examined the prevalence of mental and physical co-morbidities, physical and mental functioning, and quality of life between obese only; smoking only; and obese smokers. RESULTS: Among current smokers, 31.7% were obese; among obese veterans, 16.4% were current smokers; and in the total sample, 5.4% were obese and current smokers. Relative to the obese-only group, obese smokers were more likely to be younger, male, non-white, non-married, unemployed and VA-served, and have lower household incomes. These also reported higher levels of perceived stress and trauma and were more likely to endorsed current suicidal ideation and lifetime suicide attempts (odds ratio [OR]=2.0), medical (2.3<=OR<=3.9) and psychiatric (1.5<=OR<=2.9) comorbidities, and lower overall health status and quality of life. Compared to the smoking-only group, obese smokers were more likely to endorse current suicidal ideation (OR=2.0) and nicotine dependence (OR=1.5), and reported poorer physical health and overall quality of life. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic and military characteristics. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional study design precludes causal inference. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that co-occurring obesity and smoking is associated with substantial mental and physical health burden in U.S. veterans. Collectively, they underscore the importance of multicomponent interventions targeting, obesity, smoking, and co-occurring issues, such as trauma and internalizing disorders, in this population.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0165-0327",
doi="10.1016/j.jad.2020.04.005",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.04.005"
}