Physical activity and weight gain after smoking cessation in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Objective Weight gain frequently occurs following smoking cessation. The objective of this study was to examine whether weight gain after smoking cessation was attenuated by PA in postmenopausal women. Methods 4717 baseline smokers from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) were followed for three years. 1282 women quit smoking, and 3435 continued smoking. Weight was measured at baseline and at the year 3 visit. PA was assessed at both times by self-report, summarized as metabolic equivalent task (MET)-hours per week. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the association between PA and post-cessation weight gain, adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results Compared with continuing smokers, quitters gained an average of 3.5 kg (SD=5.6) between the baseline and year 3 visit. Quitters with decreased PA had the highest amount of weight gain (3.88 kg, 95% CI: 3.22-4.54); quitters with increased PA (≥15 MET-hours/week) had the lowest weight gain (2.55 kg, 95% CI: 1.59-3.52). Increased PA had a stronger beneficial association for post-cessation weight gain for obese women compared to normal weight women. Quitters who had low PA at baseline and high PA at year 3 and were also enrolled in a dietary modification intervention had non-significant weight gain (1.88 kg, 95% CI: −0.21-3.96) compared with continuing smokers. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that even a modest increase in PA (equivalent to current recommendations) can attenuate weight gain after quitting smoking among postmenopausal women, especially in combination with improved diet.