The effects of a restricted feeding regimen on cigarette smoking in humans

The effects of 3 days of restricted feeding (800 kcal/day) on cigarette consumption, smoke exposure, and mood were studied in five male research volunteers. A within-subjects design was used in which subjects were exposed in an inpatient research unit to either a nutritionally-balanced diet containing 800 kcal (RESTRICTED DIET) or 3,000 kcal (NORMAL DIET) per day for 3 consecutive days. At least 2 weeks separated diet conditions. Dependent measures included number of cigarettes smoked per day in each diet condition, biological exposure levels (carbon monoxide and plasma cotinine levels), and mood. Number of cigarettes smoked per day did not differ significantly across diet conditions. Biological exposure to carbon monoxide and to cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine indicative of chronic nicotine exposure, also did not differ significantly between conditions. Fatigue scores from the Profile of Mood States were significantly elevated in the RESTRICTED DIET condition. Not surprisingly, subjects in this condition also reported feeling more hungry throughout the day than in the NORMAL DIET condition. From our study results, we conclude that a short period of "dieting," and the resulting hunger elicited from such a diet, do not increase cigarette consumption or smoke exposure in humans.