Smoking, obesity connected to income levels and education, analysis shows.

2004 JUN 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The American Legacy Foundation released a new analysis showing America's most disadvantaged populations are carrying the burden of two major public health epidemics - smoking and obesity.

For the American Legacy Foundation analysis, data was taken from the National Center for Health Statistics, 2002 National Health Interview Survey, collected from American men and women aged 18 and older.

The statistics show that smoking and obesity prevalence rates are both connected to income levels and education. However, there is very little overlap among smokers and those who are obese.

"Smoking and obesity are both very important public health concerns for our country," American Legacy Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Cheryl Healton said.

"Obesity is a growing concern, but tobacco remains the deadliest and costliest health threat to our country. It is important that we identify resources to help individuals overcome difficulties with each of these epidemics."

Of those individuals below the poverty level, 34% smoke, 27% are obese, and 8% are obese and smoke. In comparison, among those earning four times more than the poverty level, only 18% smoke, ...