DIET, ALCOHOL, AND PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY AS A FUNCTION OF SMOKING STATUS IN MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN

Diet, alcohol intake, and leisure-time physical activity were compared cross-sectionally in middle-aged female smokers, ex-smokers, and neve r smokers and were reassessed approximately 3 years later. At initial contact, there were no group differences in total caloric intake and v ery few differences in nutrient intake, but alcohol intake of current smokers and ex-smokers was at least 50% greater than that of never smo kers, and current smokers reported less physical activity than did ex- smokers and never smokers. Prospective findings were similar: Compared with continuing smokers, ex-smokers did not change their dietary and alcohol intake but significantly increased physical activity. Thus, so me adverse behaviors associated with smoking (e.g., alcohol intake) ma y be due to self-selection to history of smoking, whereas other behavi ors (e.g., reduced physical activity) may be more directly related to smoking itself.