SMOKING STATUS AND RELATIVE WEIGHT BY EDUCATIONAL-LEVEL IN FINLAND, 1978-1995

Background. The aim of the present study was to examine the associatio n between smoking status and relative body weight at different educati onal levels in Finland during 1978-1995. Methods. The data for the stu dy were derived from separate cross-sectional health behavior surveys conducted annually by the National Public Health Institute (n = 3,418- 5,037, response rate 68-84%). Relative weight was compared among curre nt smokers, ex-smokers, and never smokers. Mean body mass index (BMI) was used as the measure of relative weight. Educational level was meas ured by the number of school years. Results. During 1978-1995, relativ e weight increased in all smoking categories. Among men, ex-smokers we ighed most, irrespective of study year or educational level, whereas a mong women ex-smokers showed a mean BMI comparable with that of never smokers. Among current and never smokers, both men and women, the asso ciation between smoking status and mean BMI varied according to educat ional level: current smokers weighed less than never smokers at the lo west educational level, whereas at the highest educational level they weighed more than never smokers. Conclusions. The association between smoking status and relative weight varied according to educational lev el, The finding suggests that the association between smoking status a nd relative weight is modified by social and behavioral factors. (C) 1 998 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.