Smoking, drinking, and the distribution of adult body weight

Abstract

This paper contributes to the recent debate on the association between smoking and obesity by distinguishing the effects of smoking, drinking beer and liquor on the distribution of body weight. Using a national survey in the United States, results show that these three behaviors are correlated. Smoking is found to be insignificantly associated with body weight. These findings alleviate some of the concern about smoking cessation and weight gain. In contrast, a positive association is evident between drinking beer and body weight. This positive association is increasing over the entire distribution of body weight. ? 2009 Western Social Science Association.