More than 40 percent of Americans smoke, are obese, or both, putting them at high risk of serious health problems or premature death, Reuters reported May 11.

Researchers from the American Legacy Foundation who reviewed 2002 health data also found that about 8 million American are both overweight and smokers. "Nearly 41.5 percent of adults (81 million aged 18 or older) in the U.S. are obese or smoke, and about 4.7 percent smoke and are obese," said Legacy president Cheryl Healton. "Clinical trials should monitor the effects of programs aimed at simultaneous stopping smoking and weight control to document and respond to any unintended consequences."

Overall, 23.5 percent of American adults were obese, and 22.7 percent were smokers, the study said.

The research was published May 12, 2006 in the British Medical Journal.