stopping smoking and weight gain

Last edited 06/2021 and last reviewed 11/2023

  • average increased weight gain 10 years after quitting smoking is about 5 kg when compared with continuing smoking, with greater weight gain seen among heavier smokers and those with higher BMI before quitting (1)

  • frequent unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking could lead to weight cycling and repeated and increased weight regain (1)
    • especially prone to post-cessation weight gain are smokers of low socioeconomic status, women, and smokers who eat when under emotional stress or who eat for comfort

  • smoking cessation, weight gain and risk of cardiovascular disease
    • Wang et al undertook a study investigating whether weight gain following smoking cessation increased cardiovascular risk
      • study (n= 69,910 grouped into six groups by smoking status in the first and 5-year surveys) found postcessation weight gain did not attenuate the protective association between smoking cessation and risk of CVD and should not become a concern for those attempting abstinence

Reference:

  • Kos K. Smoking cessation, weight gain, and cardiovascular risk. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2020 Feb;8(2):93-95
  • Wang X, Dong JY, Cui R, Muraki I, Shirai K, Yamagishi K, Kokubo Y, Saito I, Yatsuya H, Sawada N, Iso H, Tsugane S; Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study Group. Smoking cessation, weight gain and risk of cardiovascular disease. Heart. 2021 Jun 2:heartjnl-2021-318972