Weight gain and incident obesity among male snus users

Abstract

BackgroundSnus is a moist smokeless tobacco product which has recently reached beyond its original market of Scandinavia. Snus is now being increasingly used in both the United States and South Africa. The effect of snus use on weight is unknown. This study has therefore investigated the relationship between the use of snus, weight gain (≥5%) and the incidence of obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2).MethodsThe study participants (n = 9,954 males living in Stockholm County, Sweden) were recruited in 2002 and reassessed in 2007. Tobacco use was categorized according to information obtained in both the baseline and follow-up surveys. Outcomes were assessed by comparing self-reported weight and body mass index between the baseline and follow-up surveys.ResultsStable current snus use (according to both surveys), compared to never having used any kind of tobacco, seemed to be associated with both weight gain (odds ratio = 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.65) and incident obesity (odds ratio = 1.93, 95% confidence interval: 1.13-3.30) after adjustment for age, baseline weight, alcohol consumption, physical activity, education, consumption of fruit and berries, and the frequency of having breakfast. No associations with incident obesity or weight gain were seen for stable former users of snus (according to both surveys) or among men who quit or began using snus during follow-up.ConclusionsThese data suggest that the use of snus is moderately associated with weight gain and incident obesity among men.

Snus (Swedish smokeless tobacco) use and risk of stroke: pooled analyses of incidence and survival

“…Snus users differ, to varying degrees according to time periods and settings, from non-tobacco users with regard to certain lifestyle and social characteristics. Snus use has been associated with smoking [17,37], alcohol consumption and low intake of fruit and vegetables [39]; however, results of studies investigating the association between snus use and being overweight or obese [6,7,32,40,41], as well as the level of physical activity [39,42], are conflicting. Snus use has also been associated Fig.…”

Snus use and cardiovascular risk factors in the general population: the HUNT3 study

“…A Swedish population-based study suggested an association between snus use and type 2 diabetes, but not with reduced glucose tolerance [12]. Several studies have reported associations between snus and higher body weight [10,11,13], and one study reported weight gain and incident obesity among long-term snus users [14]. Several cross-sectional studies have failed to find any association between snus use and increased blood pressure [7], although two studies have reported this [15,16].…”

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“…For example, data from national surveys has found negative relationships between active travel and self-reported obesity [ 7 , 8 , 9 ], though it should be noted that other evidence suggests the relationship is not as well established [ 10 ]. Other documented health benefits of active commuting (AC) include a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality [ 11 , 12 , 13 ] and improved mental health [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Active commuting has also been identified as a promising measure to increase physical activity within the population as a whole; e.g., Healthy People 2020 physical activity objectives include initiatives to increase the proportion of active transportation trips as a part of the overarching goal to achieve longevity and health equity [ 17 ].…”