Weight change after smoking cessation in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To examine weight change among patients attending a smoking cessation program administered by general practitioners.


METHODS
Body weight and smoking level were measured at the initial assessment and at a six-month follow-up visit. Pretreatment measures of demographic, attitudinal and smoking-related variables were examined for relationship to weight gain.


METHODS
A total of 235 patients who were part of a smoking cessation study in Sydney.


METHODS
Change in weight over six months.


RESULTS
Abstainers (n = 52) gained an average of 4.0 kg, significantly more than continuing smokers who gained an average of 1.2 kg. Among abstainers, only self-ratings of good health predicted weight gain.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that weight gain among general practice patients following smoking cessation is similar to that in other research settings.
Richmond
R L
RL
School of Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington.
Kehoe
L
L
Webster
I W
IW
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain
D002638:Chewing Gum; D009538:Nicotine