Association Between Smoking Habits and Body Weight Among General Population in Saudi Arabia

Background: Smoking is a significant cause of mortality and is strongly associated with the development of morbid diseases, such as obesity. There is a considerable interest in understanding the impact of smoking on body weight. The exact nature remains unclear due to the mixed results observed in the literature review. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between smoking and body weight concerning demographic characteristics in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the western region of Saudi Arabia from November 15, 2022 to July 15, 2023. To collect data, an online survey was utilized, and the survey link was shared across various social media platforms. The survey was completed by a total of 744 individuals who were at least 18 years old and answered a self-reported questionnaire on the web. Results: Analysis showed that (39%) of participants lead a sedentary lifestyle, and (58.8%) have an abnormal BMI. Among them approximately 25% are overweight, 12.4% are obese, and 7.4% are extremely obese. Moreover, a greater number of them were traditional smokers. Our study reported that individuals who had quit smoking were more likely to be overweight. Regarding self-perception of their weight, almost half of the participants consider themselves overweight and they're more likely to smoke, whether it be traditional or electronic cigarettes. Conclusion: This study revealed a strong link between smoking habits and increased weight status, as measured by body mass indexes. These findings have important implications for public health interventions aimed at reducing smoking rates and obesity levels. By recognizing the potential connection between these two risk factors, experts in public health can develop more effective strategies to promote healthy behaviors and prevent chronic diseases among young individuals.