Smoking cessation in women concerned about weight.
BACKGROUND
Weight gain after smoking cessation is often cited by women smokers as a primary reason for not attempting to quit smoking or for relapsing after a cessation attempt.


METHODS
A randomized trial of 417 women smokers was conducted to test the addition of two weight control strategies to a smoking cessation program. Participants received the standard smoking cessation program, the program plus nicotine gum, the program plus behavioral weight control, or the program plus both nicotine gum and behavioral weight control. Weight and smoking status were measured at the end of treatment and at 6 and 12 months posttreatment.


RESULTS
Smoking cessation rates were highest in the group receiving the smoking cessation program plus nicotine gum. Weight gain did not vary by treatment condition, so its effect on relapse could not be examined by group. There was no significant relationship between weight gained and relapse in individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
The added behavioral weight control program was attractive to the participants and did not reduce smoking cessation rates. However, it did not produce the expected effect on weight, thereby restricting our ability to examine the effect of weight control on smoking cessation and relapse.
Pirie
P L
PL
School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
McBride
C M
CM
Hellerstedt
W
W
Jeffery
R W
RW
Hatsukami
D
D
Allen
S
S
Lando
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001835:Body Weight; D002638:Chewing Gum; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*
D002638:Chewing Gum; D009538:Nicotine