Exposure to Secondhand Smoke May Increase Chance of Developing Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity
June 26, 2012
Need another reason to avoid second hand smoke?
According to the results of a new study from the Endocrine Society meeting in Houston this week, adults who are exposed to secondhand smoke have higher rates of type 2 diabetes and risk for developing obesity.
Previous research has identified a link between cigarette smoking and an increased rate of Type 2 diabetes even though most smokers are leaner than nonsmokers and obesity is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. Although some studies have implicated a relationship between Type 2 diabetes and exposure to secondhand smoke, older studies did not confirm exposure to secondhand smoke through serum (blood) levels of cotinine. Cotinine is a metabolite of nicotine, and serum cotinine levels serve as an individual’s measure of exposure to tobacco smoke.
Dr. Theodore Friedman from Charles Drew Medical Center in LA evaluated data from 6,300 patients from 2001-2006 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which represents a sample of the US population. Investigators evaluated serum cotinine levels as a measure of passive exposure to smoke in nonsmokers. They found that nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke had levels of cotinine comparable to smokers.
After controlling for age, sex , race, physical activity and alcohol consumption, researchers found that individuals exposed to second hand smoke had higher levels of hemoglobin A1C , a measure of blood sugar control (ultimately reflecting insulin resistance). Higher levels of hemoglobin A1C greater than 6.5% are linked with linked with development of Type 2 diabetes. Individuals exposed to second hand smoke had consistently higher levels of fasting blood sugar and levels of hemoglobin A1C, reflecting onset of Type 2 diabetes. Clearly this observed effect was not due to obesity.
Secondhand smokers also had a higher BMI, which is a measure of body fat, than nonsmokers. According to Friedman’s study, current smokers had a lower BMI than nonsmokers, but a higher Hemoglobin A1C. However, when the researchers controlled for BMI, individuals exposed to secondhand smoke and those who currently smoked still had a higher hemoglobin A1C than nonsmokers.
As we all know, it may be difficult to avoid secondhand smoke in public. Restaurants and bars in some states are “safe” places at this point. However,if you happen to be in a home or apartment filled with smoke, you may want to think twice.
