Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of e-cigarette smoking among obese adults at King Saud Medical City and explore its association with obesity measures and related health outcomes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among obese adults body mass index (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) aged 18 years and above. Systematic random sampling was employed to recruit participants from King Saud Medical City. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and physical assessments, capturing sociodemographic variables, smoking behaviors, dietary habits, physical activity, and health outcomes.
Results: Of the 204 participants screened, 151 met the eligibility criteria. The prevalence of e-cigarette smoking was 39.4%, with male gender and younger age significantly associated with higher use (p-value < 0.001). Most users reported daily e-cigarette use (67.3%), with a considerable portion having used it for over two years. No significant difference was found in BMI between e-cigarette users and non-users (p-value = 0.298). Additionally, no significant associations were observed between e-cigarette use and obesity-related comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea.
Conclusions: E-cigarette smoking was prevalent among obese adults, particularly among males and younger individuals, but it does not appear to impact obesity measures or related health outcomes significantly. These findings underscored the need for integrated strategies addressing obesity and smoking behaviors in health care settings. Furthermore, longitudinal studies are required to explore causality.
Key words: E-cigarette smoking, prevalence, obesity, weight gain, Saudi Arabia
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