Projects per year
Abstract
Recent analyses have shown educational attainment to be associated with a number of health outcomes. This association may, in part, be due to an effect of educational attainment on smoking behaviour. In this study, we apply a multivariable Mendelian randomisation design to determine whether the effect of educational attainment on smoking behaviour is due to educational attainment or general cognitive ability. We use individual data from the UK Biobank study (N = 120,050) and summary data from large GWA studies of educational attainment, cognitive ability and smoking behaviour. Our results show that more years of education are associated with a reduced likelihood of smoking that is not due to an effect of general cognitive ability on smoking behaviour. Given the considerable physical harms associated with smoking, the effect of educational attainment on smoking is likely to contribute to the health inequalities associated with differences in educational attainment.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 2949 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Nature Communications |
Volume | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 3 Jul 2019 |
Structured keywords
- Brain and Behaviour
- Cognitive Science
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IEU: MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit Quinquennial renewal
Gaunt, L. F. & Davey Smith, G.
1/04/18 → 31/03/23
Project: Research
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Profiles
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Professor Marcus R Munafo
- School of Psychological Science - Professor of Biological Psychology and MRC Investigator
- Senior Team - Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor - Research Culture
- Bristol Population Health Science Institute
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit
- Bristol Neuroscience
Person: Academic , Member