Inflammation markers predict increased weight gain in smoking quitters

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Human physiology
• Public health

Background:

• Smoking cessation is associated with undesirable weight gain.
• Inflammatory markers may play a role in this weight gain.
• Understanding this relationship can inform clinical interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between baseline inflammatory marker levels and weight gain following smoking cessation.
• To determine if higher levels of leukocytes and fibrinogen predict greater weight gain in former smokers.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study of 11,687 U.S. men and women aged 45-64.
• Analysis focused on 493 individuals who quit smoking and 2664 who continued.
• Weight gain and risk of large weight gain (> or = 90th percentile) were assessed over 3 years.

Main Results:

• Smokers with higher baseline leukocyte levels gained 0.56 kg/yr more than those with lower levels.
• Smokers with higher baseline fibrinogen levels gained 0.60 kg/yr more than those with lower levels.
• Higher inflammatory marker levels were associated with a significantly increased odds ratio for substantial weight gain after quitting.

Conclusions:

• Elevated baseline levels of leukocytes and fibrinogen are linked to increased weight gain after smoking cessation.
• These findings highlight a connection between inflammation and energy balance regulation.
• The results suggest potential clinical implications for managing weight during smoking cessation.