Influence of parental smoking on glucose metabolism among children and adolescents: the Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome Study

Objective To explore the effects of parental smoking (passive smoking) on glucose metabolism in children and adolescents. Methods A total of 3 510 subjects (including 1 577 boys and 1 573 girls) aged 6-18 years were recruited from the cohort of the Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome (BCAMS) Study. Self-reported information on parental smoking, family history of diabetes mellitus, lifestyle and social-economic factors were collected by questionnaire. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting insulin were measured and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated to estimate insulin resistance. Subjects with at least one parent smoking were defined as passive smokers, and with no parent smoking were non-exposure. Covariance analysis and Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between passive smoking and glucose metabolism. Results After adjusting for potential confounders, passive smokers had higher body mass index (BMI) than non-exposure in both boys and girls (F=12.371-37.871, all P 0.05). Regarding FPG, passive smoking was still associated with higher level of FPG with further adjustment for BMI in boys (F=4.998, P 0.05). Conclusion The relationship between parental smoking and insulin resistance in children and adolescents may be associated with increased obesity, but the effect of parental smoking on FPG in boys is independent of obesity. Key words: Glucose metabolism; Fasting blood glucose; Insulin resistance; Parental smoking (passive smoking); Children and adolescent