Dietary Intake Differences among Korean Male Smokers, Ex-smokers and Non-smokers

This study investigated the differences in dietary intake, age, body mass index(BMI), marital status and education of 1,585 Korean healthy males among current smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers. Dietary intake was determined by a food frequency questionnaire at the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, Korea. A bioelectric impedance analyzer measured height, body weight and BMI. This study identified 50% of the study group as current smokers and 30% as ex-smokers and 20% as non-smokers. The mean body mass index was 23.7kg/㎡ and did not differ significantly among the three groups. THe current smokers were younger(44.9 years old) and contained a lower percentage(58.5%) of college graduate than that of ex-smokers or non-smokers. The percentage of non-consumers of meat, eggs, beans and bean products was higher in non-smokers than that of ex-smokers or current smokers. Smoking was to a significant degree positively related to the amount of coffee and alcoholic beverages consumed and negatively related to the amount of milk and milk products and fruits consumed. The intake of eggs, milk and milk products, fruit, coffee, sweets, fats and oils were significantly different among the three groups. after adjusting for age, education level, marital status, and alcohol consumption. There was a strong positive relationship between smoking intensity and the intake of coffee and alcoholic beverages(p<0.0005), and an inverse relationship between smoking intensity and fruit, milk and milk product intake(p<0.005). The current smokers were characterized by a higher intake of total energy and cholesterol, and a lower intake of dietary fibers, ${\beta}$-carotine and folate than those of non-smokers or ex-smokers. The nutrient intake of ex-smokers was moderate and highest in ${\beta}$-carotine and folate, which suggested that ex-smokers were trying to change their life style.