In a paper published in the January 2010 edition of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine¹ (published by Elsevier Inc.), researchers from Columbia University and The City College of New York reviewed data from 1992 to 2008 and asked the question in the U.S.: “Does the burden of [being overweight] outweigh the burden of smoking?” During this time frame, the number of smokers among U.S. adults declined 18.5%, whereas the number of significantly overweight people increased 85%.

The authors reviewed health-related quality of life data and calculated the years lost due to nonfatal disease (morbidity) and those lost to premature deaths (mortality).

The authors of the study concluded that because of an increase in the percentage of grossly overweight individuals in the U.S., significant weight gain has become an equal if not greater risk factor than smoking.¹ By the final year examined (2008), the total health burden of significant weight gain surpassed the total health impact of smoking.

Not only do smoking and significant weight gain have a negative economic impact on the nation and affected individuals, but as the authors point out, they are also the two risk factors that have the greatest impact on morbidity and mortality in the U.S.

The authors also note that they are modifiable risk factors. In other words, the risks can be reduced by changes in behavior and lifestyle. Clearly, smoking can be reduced by education and smoking cessation programs, and significant weight gain can be addressed by adhering to the three pillars of wellness put forward by the Council for Responsible Nutrition: diet, nutritional supplementation and exercise.

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¹ Trends in Quality–Adjusted Life-Years Lost Contributed by Smoking and Obesity. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2010; 38(2):138–144

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