DIETARY-INTAKE OF AUSTRALIAN SMOKERS AND NONSMOKERS

The 1983 National Dietary Survey of Adults and the 1983 Risk Factor Pr evalence Survey No. 2, conducted on the same subjects, provided an opp ortunity to examine the nutrient intakes of smokers (1024 men and 785 women) and nonsmokers (1974 men and 2421 women). The nutrients analyse d were energy (kJ); fat (g/day and contribution to energy); starch (co ntribution to energy); dietary fibre (g/day and g/1000 kJ); alcohol (g /1000 kJ); polyunsaturated/saturated fats ratio; cholesterol, niacin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium (mg/1000 kJ); and vitamin A, thiamin and riboflavin (mu g/1000 kJ). For both men and women, non smokers have a significantly higher intake of starch, dietary fibre (g /day and g/1000 kJ), thiamin, vitamin C, calcium and magnesium than sm okers, who have a significantly higher intake of alcohol. Male smokers also have a higher intake of energy and cholesterol, but a lower inta ke of riboflavin, than nonsmokers. These differences in nutrient intak es suggest that nonsmokers consume a more nutritious diet than smokers , in regard to having a higher intake of fruit and vegetables, wholegr ain cereals and milk and milk products. There is a highly statisticall y significant association between smoking status and hazardous intake of alcohol. Both men and women who smoke have a significantly lower bo dy mass index (BMI), than nonsmokers or ex-smokers.