Study on Cardiopulmonary Function, Maximal Oxygen Uptake, and Obesity Index according to Smoking Status in Middle-Aged and Older Office Workers

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of smoking upon cardiopulmonary function, maximal oxygen uptake, and obesity index, in middle-aged and older workers to propose guidelines on healthcare for these age groups.MethodsThis study analyzed medical data from 2,753 white-collar workers aged 50 years or older from workplaces located in Seoul, South Korea. Blood pressure (BP), resting heart rate, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and body mass index (BMI) of each subject were measured. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0.ResultsIn the smoking group BP and resting heart rate were significantly higher than in the non-smoking and smoking-cessation groups (p < 0.05). In addition, VO2max was lower in the smoking group compared to the other 2 groups. BP closely correlated with resting heart rate, abdominal fat ratio, and BMI. BMI was the highest in the group that stopped smoking and, BMI and abdominal fat ratio negatively correlated with VO2max.ConclusionSmoking increases the risk of cardiopulmonary disease but obesity may be caused by stopping smoking. Therefore, healthcare guidelines on smoking cessation should also include nutritional advice.

Smoking Status on Bone Health and Osteoporosis Prevalence

“…I would like to comment on the study by Kim [ 1 ] that investigated the effects of smoking status on cardiopulmonary function, maximum oxygen uptake, and obesity in middle-aged and older office workers in Korea. The study presented interesting and important findings on how smoking increases the risk of cardiopulmonary disease.…”

“…However, if the patient stops smoking to reduce the risk of cardiopulmonary disease, an increased appetite attributable to smoking cessation, may lead to obesity. Therefore, Kim [ 1 ] concluded that smoking cessation should be accompanied by nutritional advice to reduce the risk of both cardiopulmonary disease and obesity.…”

“…In addition to the risk of cardiopulmonary disease and other diseases caused by smoking that were mentioned in Kim’s article [ 1 ], osteoporosis was not cited. Smoking adversely affects bone health by reducing bone mineralization [ 2 ] which can lead to osteoporosis, and subsequent bone fractures.…”

“…In conclusion, where Kim [ 1 ] suggested that education about smoking cessation should include nutritional advice for cardiopulmonary disease and obesity, I would like to respectfully recommend adding bone health to the nutrition advice given because smoking also contributes to osteoporosis and consequently, bone fractures.…”