Marijuana Use Associated With Lower Triglycerides and Smaller Waistline, Says Study
Marijuana use is associated with a smaller waistline and lower levels of triglycerides, according to a new study published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
For the study researchers from the Canadian National Public Health Institute examined the relationship between marijuana use and waist circumference and triglyceride levels. Data analyzed in the study was extracted from a nationally representative database (the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). According to NORML, the researchers reported that those subjects who consumed marijuana at least four times a week typically possessed a smaller waistline and lower triglycerides than either non-users or former consumers.
“The finding is consistent with several prior studies, such as those here, here, here, here, and here, indicating that marijuana use is associated with lower rates of obesity, BMI, and cholesterol levels”, states NORML.
The study is titled Lifetime average cannabis use in relation to hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype in US adults: A population-based cross-sectional study.
The study’s full abstract can be found below:
Background and Aims: With a growing number of states legalizing recreational or medical cannabis, prevalence of cannabis users is expected to markedly increase in the future. We aim to determine the association between lifetime cannabis use and the likelihood for hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW+/+) phenotype in U.S. adults.
Methods: We abstracted data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2009 to 2016. We estimated the minimal lifetime cannabis use using the duration of regular exposure and the frequency of use. Outcomes were HTGW+/+ phenotype, defined as being waist circumference >90 cm (for men) or 85 cm (for women), and serum fasting triglycerides ≥177 mg/dL. We used multiple logistic regression models to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results: Of the 47,364 adults included, 48.5% were women. The prevalence of HTGW+/+ phenotype was 11.7%. Current, but not former, users were less likely to show HTGW+/+ phenotype. Current cannabis users with greater or equal to four uses per week showed a significant lower likelihood for HTGW+/+ than those who never used cannabis (AOR 0.46 [95% CI, 0.22–0.97]). HTGW+/+ phenotype was associated with neither two to three uses per week (AOR 1.12 [95% CI, 0.40–3.12]) nor less than two uses per week (AOR 0.56 [95% CI, 0.18–1.73]).
Conclusions: Average lifetime frequency of greater or equal to four cannabis uses per week is linked to lower odds of HTGW+/+ in current users. Former use is not associated with HTGW+/+.