Relationship between Body Weight Gain after Smoking Cessation Versus the Number of Cigarettes Smoked before Cessation and Eating Behavior

<p>Objective: Body weight gain is often observed after smoking cessation. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between changes in body weight over time after smoking cessation versus the number of cigarettes smoked before the cessation and eating behavior, and utilize the results in smoking cessation guidance.</p><p>Methods: Of 1,923 men who received a specific medical checkup every year at our hospital from 2015 to 2019, the annual change in body weight of those who stopped smoking was examined. Subjects were classified into the following four groups: those whose body weight during the first year was unchanged or reduced, and those who gained <3 kg, 3–5 kg, and >5 kg respectively, during the first year. Smoking status pre-cessation (≤19 cigarettes per day or ≥20 cigarettes per day), and responses to a standard questionnaire on eating behavior pre- and post-cessation were compared between groups.</p><p>Results: Mean body weight changes with respect to years of continued smoking cessation were as follows: first year, +2.20 kg; second year, +0.55 kg; third year, –0.04 kg; and fourth year, –0.44 kg. Distribution of the four weight groups during the first year of cessation among those who smoked ≤19 cigarettes per day pre-cessation was as follows: unchanged or reduced body weight, 24.4%; <3 kg gain, 56.1%; 3–5 kg gain, 14.6%; and ≥5 kg gain, 4.9%. Distribution of groups among those who smoked ≥20 cigarettes was as follows: unchanged or reduced body weight, 10.9%; <3 kg gain, 35.9%; 3–5 kg gain, 37.5%; and ≥5 kg gain, 15.6%. Body weight gain rates of the ≥20 cigarettes per day group were significantly higher than those in the ≤19 cigarettes per day group. When the eating behaviors of the ≥20 cigarettes and ≤ 19 cigarettes per day groups were compared, the proportion of “persons who eat faster than others” was significantly higher in the former group than in the latter group.</p><p>Conclusion: After one year of smoking cessation, 80% of those who stopped smoking gained approximately 2 kg of body weight on average. However, body weight gain was not observed in and after the third year. Because those who smoked ≥20 cigarettes per day before smoking cessation were likely to gain substantial body weight, it is necessary to instruct them to pay attention to eating speed.</p>