The Food Intake of Smokers and Nonsmokers: The Role of Partnerʹs Smoking Behavior

Background. To understand the food patterns of smokers, passive smokers, and nonsmokers is important for health professionals who are assessing disease risks and for those educating individuals regarding healthy lifestyles. This study aimed to investigate the role of smoking behavior on the food intake of men and women, including the smoking habits of their partner. Methods. Information on food intake and smoking behavior was collected by self-administered questionnaires from a cohort of 40- to 70-year-old representatives of the suburban Danish population (n= 2,656), cross-sectionally in 1993–1994. Results. Men and women who smoked were less frequent consumers of fruit, raw vegetables, whole-meal bread, cakes, jam, and tea and were more frequent consumers of white bread, meat, coffee, and beer than nonsmokers. The intake frequencies of meat, fruit, raw vegetables, whole-meal bread, cakes, jam, coffee, and beer among men and of white bread and coffee among women were also associated with their partnerʹs smoking behavior, and for these foods, the intakes of subjects living with a partner with discordant smoking behavior represented a compromise between the food patterns of smokers and nonsmokers. The associations were independent of potential confounders such as age, educational level, and physical exercise. Conclusion. The dietary habits of both men and women are associated with their own and their partnerʹs smoking behavior, independent of age, education, and exercise. Epidemiological studies of smoking and passive smoking-disease relationships should account for the possible confounding by diet.