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Is weight gain after smoking cessation inevitable?
G W Talcott1, E R Fiedler, R W Pascale
1Wilford Hall Medical Center/PSCPB, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas 78236-5300, USA.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
|April 1, 1995
Summary
Quitting smoking during military training did not lead to weight gain. An intensive program limiting alcohol, high-fat foods, and increasing physical activity helped prevent weight gain after smoking cessation.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
- Military Health
Background:
- Weight gain is a common concern following smoking cessation.
- Previous studies often lack controlled environments to assess weight changes accurately.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate weight changes in smokers who quit in a naturalistic setting.
- To evaluate the impact of modified risk factors on postcessation weight gain.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 332 military recruits, with 86 smokers quitting during a 6-week basic training program.
- The training environment included modifications to limit alcohol, high-fat foods, and increase physical activity.
Main Results:
- No significant weight changes were observed in smokers who quit.
- Pre-cessation smoking rates and fear of weight gain did not correlate with weight changes.
Conclusions:
- Intensive lifestyle interventions can effectively mitigate weight gain after smoking cessation.
- Military basic training provides a unique setting to study smoking cessation and weight management.