K. Zahari, C. Anastasiou, P. Katsaounou, R. Tenta, M. Yannakoulia
Abstract
Smoking is one of the major public health problems and the leading preventable cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide. Although its effects on health and the benefits of its cessation are known, the number of people who smoke keeps growing steadily. Addiction is the main cause of smoking cessation’s failure, while weight concerns seem to be an independent factor of failure. Current smokers are less likely to be obese than non-smokers, while those who manage to stop smoking, increase their body weight on average by 2.8 or 3.8 kg if they are men or women respectively. Although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, they are related to the increase in energy intake and the reduction in energy expenditure following smoking cessation and the anorectic effect of nicotine on appetite.
Keywords: smoking, cigarette, smoking cessation, body weight, appetite, energy intake, energy expenditure