Body mass index and marijuana use

J Addict Dis. 2005;24(3):95-100. doi: 10.1300/J069v24n03_08.

Abstract

Though marijuana has been reported to stimulate appetite, we searched for a correlation between obesity and decreased marijuana use. We examined charts of all females referred for morbid obesity/weight management in a 12-month period. BMI and substance use data were collected from 297 charts. While 29% of the sample with BMI < 30 (n = 7) used marijuana in the past year, only 21% of those with BMI 30-39 (n = 84), 16% of those with BMI 40-49 (n = 110) and 14% (n = 96) of those with BMI > 50 used marijuana in the past year. Linear regression revealed a negative correlation between BMI group and percent marijuana use (R-squared = 0.96; P = 0.0173). These findings provide support for overeating as competition for drugs and alcohol in brain reward sites.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Appetite / drug effects
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Marijuana Abuse / complications
  • Marijuana Abuse / epidemiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity, Morbid / epidemiology*
  • Obesity, Morbid / etiology
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / drug effects
  • Statistics as Topic

Substances

  • Receptors, Cannabinoid