WEIGHT-GAIN AS A FUNCTION OF SMOKING CESSATION AND 2-MG NICOTINE GUM USE AMONG MIDDLE-AGED SMOKERS WITH MILD LUNG IMPAIRMENT IN THE 1ST 2 YEARS OF THE LUNG-HEALTH-STUDY
M. Nides et al., WEIGHT-GAIN AS A FUNCTION OF SMOKING CESSATION AND 2-MG NICOTINE GUM USE AMONG MIDDLE-AGED SMOKERS WITH MILD LUNG IMPAIRMENT IN THE 1ST 2 YEARS OF THE LUNG-HEALTH-STUDY, Health psychology, 13(4), 1994, pp. 354-361
The extent and predictors of weight change were assessed among sustain
ed nonsmoking special intervention participants in the Lung Health Stu
dy. The intervention included a 12-session group program and 2-mg nico
tine gum. At 12 months, female sustained quitters (SQs; n = 248) had g
ained a mean of 8.4% (5.3 kg) of their baseline weight, whereas male S
Qs (n = 443) had gained 6.7% (5.5 kg). By 24 months, female SQs had ga
ined 9.8% of their baseline weight compared with 6.9% for men. Nicotin
e gum usage delayed a portion of the weight gain. Multiple regression
analysis showed that weight gain at 12 months was associated with a hi
gher baseline salivary cotinine level, a lower baseline body mass inde
x, drinking less alcohol per week, and a lower continine level at 12 m
onths (indicating less or no nicotine gum use). We conclude that moder
ate weight gain is a long-tern consequence of smoking cessation-a port
ion of which can be delayed with 2-mg nicotine gum.