Weight gain following smoking cessation not linked to Leptin

Smoking cessation has often been connected to gaining excess weight. It has been debated for long that this weight gain could be related to the hormone leptin, which regulates appetite and controls weight. These arguments were based on assumptions that leptin levels were high during smoking periods, thus keeping weight down and after one stops smoking, the leptin levels plummet leading to weight gain.

A new study by researchers in the University of Pittsburgh has however proved this wrong, by measuring leptin levels in non-smokers, current smokers and ex-smokers. They found no significant difference among the three groups. Researchers say that other factors, like hormones involved in body weight regulation, must be looked into, for reasons as to why smoking cessation leads to weight gain.