In a study that looked into the smoking habit of 6654 people for a period of eight years, researchers have found out that giving up smoking do causes weight gain, but the overall health effect is beneficial to the people.
The population under study was measured for effect of giving up on smoking, gaining weight and ventilatory lung function in 1991-93 when the age group was 20 to 44yrs, and was measured once again for the same in 1998-2002. Smoking information was obtained from detailed questionnaires, while changes in lung function were analyzed by change in smoking habits and weight, adjustments being made for age, height and gender.The results of the study shows that stopping smoking seems to benefit women more than men, in terms of weight gain or lung function. However, if people who quit smoking can maintain their weights, sex difference in terms of health benefits can become null.
Giving up of smoking may entail weight gains, but this should not deter smokers from giving up smoking. Medications used to aid smoking cessation can also be effective in reducing weight gains. But nicotine replacement therapy may only delay the weight gain till the time it is discontinued.
