Epidemiological Association of Current Smoking Status with Hypertension and Obesity among Adults Including the Elderly in Korea: Multivariate Analysis of a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study Excluding Grades 2-3 Hypertension Cases

Smoking is a major global health issue that contributes to various chronic diseases, while hypertension and obesity are considered significant health concerns due to their associated complications, such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. In this study, we investigated the associations between current smoking status, hypertension, and obesity among the Korean population, excluding individuals with high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg) and those taking antihypertensive medications. Data from the 2015 Korea National Fitness Assessment, encompassing 3457 individuals, were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effects of current smoking and other variables on hypertension and obesity. The results showed that, among the population that excludes specific hypertension criteria, current smoking status was not significantly associated with hypertension or obesity. However, sex and body mass index were significantly associated with hypertension, and age, sex, and blood pressure were significantly associated with obesity. Future research should utilize larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs to confirm these findings and include a broader range of hypertensive participants to better control for potential confounding variables.