Smoking cessation and weight gain

Article Abstract:

Studies began to concentrate on the relation between cigarette smoking and weight only about 10 years ago, spurred by the fact that cigarette smoking is the most important cause of preventable death and illness in this country, causing more deaths per year than alcohol, other addictive drugs, accidents, and suicides combined - approximately 400,000 deaths. Because one of the reasons for not quitting smoking is fear of gaining weight, the relationship between smoking and weight gain is important. The research by David F. Williamson and his colleagues reported in the March 14, 1991 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrates that quitting smoking does in fact cause weight gain. Also, the amount gained by the subjects in the study was greater than that reported in earlier, shorter-term studies. The probability of gaining large amounts of weight was also greater than has previously been reported. Heavy smokers and women gained more, as did blacks, but most of the subjects only gained up to the average weight of nonsmokers. Some researchers, looking at the relationship between nicotine and other addictions and weight, hypothesize that these drugs of abuse come to be thought of as food. If so, weight gain research not only looks at quitting smoking, but at the more fundamental question of why some drugs are addicting. Weight gain is not an excuse for not quitting. The health benefit of quitting far outweighs any detrimental effects of the extra weight. Counselors must realize how serious an issue this is for those who want to quit, and weight control counseling should be considered. Avoidance of sweet, high-carbohydrate foods, an exercise program, and the use of drugs to combat nicotine addiction are helpful. Sex and race differences in weight gain should be explored. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Smoking cessation programs, Smoking cessation, editorial

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Nicotine medications for smoking cessation

Article Abstract:

Nicotine medications can effectively treat tobacco addiction and double or triple the likelihood that smokers will successfully quit. The two commonly used nicotine medications are nicotine polacrilex, which is gum, and transdermal nicotine, which is a skin patch. These medications provide lower, more constant doses of nicotine than cigarettes. They are most effective in helping people quit smoking if they are administered with support. They work by reducing withdrawal symptoms, maintaining tolerance, and providing the comforting aspects associated with cigarettes. Dosage should be determined based on the level of tobacco dependence, and patients must not smoke while receiving these medications. After a couple of months, the medication should be slowly withdrawn. People can become dependent upon these medications, but the risk of such dependence is relatively low. Side effects may include hiccupping, nausea, and jaw pain with nicotine gum, and skin irritation with the patch.

Health aspects, Drug therapy, Transdermal medication, Transdermal drug delivery systems, Tobacco habit, Nicotine polacrilex

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Obesity and efforts to lose weight

Article Abstract:

Apparent diet resistance among obese persons who incorrectly report food intake and energy expenditure should not be interpreted as gluttony or laziness on their part. A recent study among obese patients who claimed to be diet resistant compared direct measures of energy expenditure and caloric intake with subjects' diaries and found that the patients significantly underestimated their food intake and overestimated their physical activity. This disagreement between recorded and actual diet and activity would explain the patients' failure to lose weight, but more importantly, this discrepancy existed not just on paper but also in the subjects' minds. The inaccurate reports were not a conscious effort to deceive either the researchers or themselves. Furthermore, the patients firmly believed genetic and metabolic influences played a significant role in their obesity, not just overeating.

Editorial, Overweight persons, Food and nutrition

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