The associations of alcohol consumption with smoking cessation and weight change

Abstract

Alcohol consumption, overweight and smoking are associated with premature mortality. These behaviors tend to co-occur and often differ between different socioeconomic groups. Previous studies have indicated a reversed social gradient in total alcohol consumption. The main purpose of this repeated-measures study was to investigate the social gradient in total alcohol consumption and its relationship with smoking cessation and weight change. First, the distribution of total alcohol consumption was assessed across education groups. Second, the association between alcohol consumption and smoking cessation and weight change was assessed. Last, exploratory analyses regarding the association between change in alcohol consumption with smoking cessation and weight change were initiated. Multiple linear and binary logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations, adjusting for several potential confounders. Higher educational attainment was associated with higher total alcohol consumption, and in women the educational differences had increased. At the same time the more educated had a higher tendency to quit smoking and gained less weigh, indicating different attitudes towards alcohol compared to other health related behaviors. Total alcohol consumption at one time point does not seem to be a good predictor for smoking cessation or weight change, while a reduction in alcohol intake from one time point to another seems to be associated with higher odds for smoking cessation in women and less weight gain in men.