Search Here

Smokers are lazier than their non-smoking counterparts, according to Brazilian researchers.

A new study reveals that smokers are less motivated and physically active than non-smokers.

Smokers are also more likely to suffer symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to researchers at State University of Londrina in Brazil.

The latest study involved 50 smokers and 50 non-smokers who were asked to wear a pedometer for a minimum of 12 hours a day for six days. Participants were also asked to fill out questionnaires to rate their health-related quality of life.

Researchers found that smokers reported feeling more fatigue and less motivation to change their lifestyles.

"To our knowledge, this is the first study that has demonstrated a reduction in the objectively measured level of physical activity in daily life of adult smokers compared with non-smokers," said lead researcher Dr Karina Furlanetto, according to a news release.

"Besides presenting poorer lung function, exercise capacity, quality of life and symptoms of anxiety and depression, smokers also walked less than non-smokers in daily life," she added.

Studies have also shown that smokers sleep less and experience more sleep disturbances than people who don't smoke. German researchers at Charite Berlin Medical School found that one in five smokers get fewer than six hours of sleep and one in three smokers report disturbed sleep. In contrast, only seven percent of people who don't smoke get fewer than six hours of sleep and 19 percent say they experience disturbed sleep.

The findings are published in the journal Respirology.