Physical activity is inversely associated with depressive symptoms, and cigarette smoking is positively associated with depressive symptoms. Data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) and the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up study were analyzed to determine whether the relationship between physical activity and self-reported distress (depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) was different for cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (adjusted for age, race, sex, education, alcohol use, and perceived health status) for depressive symptoms (> or = 16) associated with physical activity and smoking status among 2,054 respondents. At baseline, the odds ratio for depressive symptoms was about 2 times higher for moderately active smokers and nonsmokers, and 3 times higher for low active smokers and nonsmokers, compared with highly active nonsmokers. For 1,132 persons with a low number of depressive symptoms (< 16) at baseline, the incidence of depressive symptoms after 7-9 yr of follow-up was about 2 times higher for low/moderately active smokers and nonsmokers than for highly active nonsmokers. The association between physical activity and the prevalence and incidence of depressive symptoms is not significantly modified by smoking status.

OBJECTIVE This study examines the relationship between alcohol use and health behaviors related to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In particular, we examined the relationship between alcohol use and leisure time physical activity, participation in community physical activity programs and behaviors used for weight loss. Numerous studies have found a "protective" effect of moderate alcohol consumption on the risk of CVD. However, most of these studies have not adequately controlled for potential confounding by health behaviors associated with alcohol use. METHOD We used descriptive and logistic regression analyses to examine cross-sectional survey data from 2,072 participants in the South Carolina Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Project. RESULTS After controlling for age, race, education and preexisting CVD, moderate and heavy drinkers who do not smoke were more likely than nondrinkers to report engaging in regular leisure time physical activity. The relationship between other health behaviors and alcohol consumption was less clear. Among men, moderate and heavy drinkers were no more likely than nondrinkers to participate in community physical activity programs; among women, moderate and heavy drinkers were more likely than nondrinkers to report this activity. Moderate drinkers were more likely than nondrinkers to report that they were attempting to lose weight, however this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that at least some of the apparent protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption found in other studies may be due to differences between nondrinkers and drinkers with respect to physical activity and other health practices.

OBJECTIVETo investigate trends in oral contraceptive (OC) use and smoking among women of reproductive age and to determine factors related to smoking among OC users.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSTelephone interviews of women aged 18 through 45 years in 16 states and the District of Columbia who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 1982 (N = 3553) and in 1988 (N = 7384).RESULTSBetween 1982 and 1988, the prevalence of smoking decreased from 31% to 24% among OC users and from 32% to 28% among non-OC users. In both 1982 and 1988, more than half of the OC users who smoked were heavy smokers (smoked 15 or more cigarettes per day). Nearly one fourth of 35- to 45-year-old women who used OCs were smokers. After we standardized for age, race, and education, the decline in the prevalence of smoking among OC users did not differ substantially from the decline in smoking among non-OC users.CONCLUSIONSDespite the possible synergistic effects of smoking and OC use on the risk of cardiovascular disease, we found no accelerated decline in the prevalence of smoking among OC users. As of 1988, nearly one fourth of all OC users were smokers. These data emphasize the need to reduce the prevalence of smoking among women who use OCs before they reach the age at which their risk for cardiovascular disease increases substantially.