Relationship between physical activity and smoking status among severe mentally ill individuals

Background: The prevalence of smoking in the severely mentally ill population is approximately three-times higher than that reported in the general population. This higher smoking prevalence rate predisposes severely mentally ill individuals to a higher risk of chronic and debilitating conditions including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer. Physical activity could prove to be a healthy alternative to smoking. Within the general population, physical activity has been shown to be significantly associated with non-smoking status, attempted cessation, as well as successful cessation.

Objectives: The current study will address two questions; (1) Is physical activity associated with non-smoking status among severely mentally ill individuals? (2) What additional demographic, clinical, or behavioural characteristics are associated with non-smoking status among severely mentally ill individuals?

Methods: Secondary data analysis was performed utilizing data from the Matryoshka Project. The Matryoshka Project is a three year research study that examines the effects of enhanced funding for community mental health programs. A logistic regression was used to contrast demographic, clinical, and behavioural characteristics between current smokers and non-smokers in a sample of severely mentally ill individuals.

Results: Physically active individuals were less likely to be a smoker compared to inactive individuals. Additional predictors of smoking status included marital status. Alcohol consumption was not a significant predictor of smoking status among severely mentally ill individuals. As smoking continues to pose significant harmful effects among such individuals, these results demonstrate that participation in physical activity may be associated with a protective effect against the adoption and/or maintenance of smoking.