Study Finds No Link between Smoking and Long-term Weight Gain

A latest study uncovers the fact that nicotine withdrawal is not associated with long term weight gain.

Researchers at University of Otago claim that quitters are vulnerable to just short term weight gain, which can be lost with changes in lifestyle. The study was based on data from 1,000 people born in Dunedin in 1972-73.

It is common for most of the smokers to gain some extra pounds once they stop smoking. This fear of weight gain is so high among smokers that it is often cited as a major reason to continue smoking.

In this study, the researchers measured the smoking habits and weight at regular intervals. It was conducted on a group of people of the age 15-38 years old. Nearly one-third of the group members were smoked by age 21 of which 40 percent of them quit post 38 years of age.

The 17-year follow up study noticed that, both men and women who quit smoking returned to the same level as people of the same age who never smoked. Also, the weight gained was just 5 kg or 11 pounds when compared to those who continued smoking.

"We hope that our findings will encourage people who are thinking about quitting. They should not be put off by the fear of putting on large amounts of weight. It is important to be aware that a small weight gain is unlikely to offset the health benefits of quitting," says Lindsay Robertson, who led the research.

Related study conducted by researchers at University of Barcelona and University of Sydney claimed that the average weight gain linked with quitting smoking is much higher than what was previously thought. But, Roberston finds these studies unreliable.

The researchers also noticed that being a smoker did not avert long term weight gain. Regardless of the smoking status, it was seen that people in the group tended to put on weight over the period of time.

The finding was published in the journal Nicotine &Tobacco Research.