The influence of cessation aid on predicting weight change during smoking cessation

It is common to gain weight when stopping smoking and although some products have been found somewhat effective at helping to prevent weight gain, research into the use of electronic cigarettes and weight change during smoking cessation is currently limited. Using a mixed design, 66 participants were recruited through a stop smoking service during their smoking cessation attempt with 21 participants receiving nicotine replacement therapy, 22 using electronic cigarettes and 23 using Champix as a smoking cessation aid. Participants self-completed a series of psychometric tools measuring height, weight, waist circumference, nicotine dependency, eating behaviour and physical activity. Data were collected at baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks and at 6 months. Findings revealed that weight, waist circumference and BMI increased regardless of the smoking cessation aid used over the 6-month cessation period. No significant effects of ethnicity on weight change during smoking cessation were found. The biggest predictor of weight change was sex, with women more likely to gain weight during smoking cessation. This is thought to be due to susceptibility to emotional eating and changes in eating behaviours. Further research should consider tapping into emotional eating and changes in eating behaviour among women who are attempting to give up smoking.