THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OBESITY, SMOKING HABIT AND PHYSICAL-ACTIVITYDURING LEISURE-TIME IN A 20-YEAR-OLD TO 64-YEAR-OLD SPANISH POPULATION

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an important health problem. Its frequency, how ever, is potentially reducible through health care education influenci ng daily habits. Therefore, the relationship between obesity, smoking habit and physical activity during leisure time, all modifiable daily habits influencing both obesity and health in general, were studied in a Spanish adult population. METHODS: Information on the study variabl es of both sexes from 20 to 64 years of age were obtained from the Nat ional Health Care Survey undertaken in 1987. The presence of obesity w as approximated from the Quetelet index defined as weight (in kg) divi ded by height (in m(2)). The data were analyzed by non conditional log istic regression taking the main confusion factors into account. RESUL TS: A statistically significant inverse relationship (odds ratio less than 1) (p < 0.05) was observed in both males and females in most of t he categories of exposure variables, from obesity with cigarette consu mption and with physical activity. An U-shaped dose/response relations hip was observed in both sexes, The relationship between obesity and p hysical activity during free time was lineal and statistically signifi cant (p < 0.0001) among males. CONCLUSIONS: The results were consisten t with previous studies and provide additional arguments for the inclu sion of physical activity during leisure time within educative actions for health cars. Likewise, the modest inverse association seen betwee n smoking and obesity should not be used to counteract the efforts und ertaken against this habit.