DOC News November 1, 2005
Volume 2 Number 11 p. 13
© 2005 American Diabetes Association
Tobacco Smoke Exposure Poses Heart Risks
Exposure to tobacco smoke—either through active smoking or secondhandsmoke—appears to raise the risk of metabolic syndrome among adolescents,according to a new report in the journal Circulation. Metabolicsyndrome is a cluster of symptoms including high blood pressure, large waistsize, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia.
A group of investigators reviewed records of 2,273 young people ages12–19 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition ExaminationSurvey III (NHANES III). Participants or a family member completed detailedsurveys asking about their health, smokers in the home, and other factors.They also had blood tests to measure insulin function and other aspects ofhealth. Serum cotinine levels were tested to measure exposure to smoking.
Analysis of data revealed a dose-response relationship between tobaccosmoke exposure and metabolic syndrome. Overweight children who are exposed tosecondhand smoke have almost a fivefold increase in their risk for metabolicsyndrome. The risk for overweight children who are active smokers increases13-fold. The findings "may have profound implications for the futurehealth of the public," researchersconclude.
Weitzman M, Cook S, Auinger P, et al.: Tobacco smokeexposure is associated with the metabolic syndrome in adolescents.Circulation 112:862–869, 2005[Abstract/Free Full Text].
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