The findings are based on data on more than 6,300 adults who participated in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001-2006. Researchers found that, compared with nonsmokers, those who are exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and higher body mass index (BMI), a measurement that takes into account height and weight.
In addition, compared with non-smokers, people exposed to cigarette smoke also have a higher measure of insulin resistance (which can lead to type 2 diabetes), higher levels of fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels higher A1c (a measure of blood sugar control over the three months).
