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80 Million Americans Face Health Problems from Smoking and Obesity
http://www.addictioninfo.org/articles/823/1/80-Million-Americans-Face-Health-Problems-from-Smoking-and-Obesity/Page1.html
Join Together

Since 1991, Join Together has supported community-based efforts to advance effective alcohol and drug policy, prevention, and treatment.

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By Join Together
Published on 05/15/2006
 
More than 40 percent of Americans smoke, are obese, or both, putting them at high risk of serious health problems or premature death.

More than 40 percent of Americans smoke, are obese, or both, putting them at high risk of serious health problems or premature death, Reuters reported May 11.

Researchers from the American Legacy Foundation who reviewed 2002 health data also found that about 8 million American are both overweight and smokers. "Nearly 41.5 percent of adults (81 million aged 18 or older) in the U.S. are obese or smoke, and about 4.7 percent smoke and are obese," said Legacy president Cheryl Healton.

"Clinical trials should monitor the effects of programs aimed at simultaneous stopping smoking and weight control to document and respond to any unintended consequences."

Overall, 23.5 percent of American adults were obese, and 22.7 percent were smokers, the study said.

The research was published May 12, 2006 in the British Medical Journal.

Reference:
Healton, CG; Vallone, D; McCausland, KL; Xiao, H; Green; MP. (2006) Smoking, obesity, and their co-occurrence in the United States: cross sectional analysis. BMJ, doi: 10.1136/bmj.38840.608704.80 (published 12 May 2006).