A recent meta-analysis provides robust data on the weight gain that is likely to be experienced by individuals who give up smoking. Weight gain 1 year after quitting was 4–5 kg; therefore, is weight gain following smoking cessation of sufficient importance to affect approaches to and success of smoking cessation?
Key Points
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Fear of weight gain deters some smokers from undertaking smoking cessation; this factor is a particular deterrent for women
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Weight gain is common after smoking cessation, and has been quantified as a mean gain of 4–5 kg 1 year after quitting
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Weight changes are highly variable after quitting, with statistical estimates from existing data suggesting that 48% of quitters had gained in excess of 5 kg, whereas up to 21% of quitters had lost weight 1 year after quitting
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These data suggest that weight management can be justified within smoking cessation interventions for those who view weight gain as a barrier to cessation attempts
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Hankey, C., Leslie, W. Is weight gain after smoking cessation an important concern?. Nat Rev Endocrinol 8, 630–632 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2012.175
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2012.175
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