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Food choice and changes in body weight and shape in those attempting smoking cessation

Project Code: N09025

26/08/2010

University of Glasgow
Hankey, C ; Koshy, P; Leslie, W; Mackenzie, M; Murray, H; Boyle, S; Lean, M

Weight change occurs over time and against a background of progressive age-related weight gain in the “normal” population. However, particular life style choices are associated with weight gain and one such stage is smoking cessation. Around 80% of smokers gain 5-6 kg weight on average following cessation and in some individuals weight gain can be as much as 12 kg or more. With over 25% of smokers already obese and at risk of gaining more weight following cessation, the problem of post-cessation weight gain can have huge health consequences. Weight gain is also a barrier to smoking cessation and significant cause of relapse for many people. Although diet and weight issues are routinely raised by those attending smoking cessation classes, diet/nutrition is not usually formally addressed. The provision of nutritional advice alongside attempts to stop smoking may assist some in smoking cessation and thus improve health but also improve food choice and perhaps limit weight gain.

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