|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Back to Media Releases index |
“
Smoking
does not help young women stay thin – in fact it inhibits fat
burning and causes muscle damage, leading to weight gain and flabby
midriffs, says a new study. A new study from
Scotland has disproved a view widespread among young women that
smoking will keep their weight down, or that quitting will cause them
to increase weight. In fact the study, published in the International
Journal of Obesity*, has found that taking up smoking is more likely to inhibit fat
burning, leading to weight increase. The Glasgow
University team studied the smoking habits of more than a thousand
women aged 16-24 - eliminating variables that might skew the results,
such as socio-economic background, exercise patterns and alcohol
intake. The study found
that young female smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop
a flabby midriff, since smoking causes muscle damage so the body is
less able to burn fat. The study found that half of the young female
smokers were overweight or obese. The researchers
found that half of the young female smokers were overweight or obese. Health research
has previously shown teenage girls take up smoking to keep their
weight down – using tobacco as an appetite suppressant, influenced
by an increase in celebrities smoking both on and off the screen. Says Anne Jones of
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia: “Smoking to stay thin
is a myth - it inhibits fat burning, causes muscle damage and extra
flab around the middle. “Smoking rates
amongst young Australian females are still too high, with over 25% of
women in their twenties smoking regularly - and fewer women than men
are quitting. “Tobacco
companies have been behind the glamourisation of smoking, with thin
celebrities smoking both on- and off-screen encouraging young women to
smoke.” Health groups are calling for a national anti-smoking campaign and tougher regulation to reduce tobacco harm as well as concerns over rising obesity and falling fertility rates. *
Akbartabartoori, M et al, “Relationships between cigarette smoking,
body size and body shape” Comment: Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1876 m. 0417-227-879 Media
inquiries:
Stafford Sanders ph.
(02) 9334-1823 m.
0412-070-194
|
|
Page last updated on 5/5/05 |
|