Self-reported weight gain following smoking cessation: a function of binge eating behavior.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated patterns of self-reported weight gain following smoking cessation among overweight individuals with and without binge eating.


METHODS
Participants were 103 overweight (BMI ≥ 25) community volunteers who completed a battery of questionnaires online. Key items queried smoking cessation history and weight gain in the year following cessation. Participants were classified as nonbinge eating overweight (NBO, n = 56) or binge eating disorder (BED, n = 47).


RESULTS
BED participants were significantly more likely to report weight gain in the year following smoking cessation than NBO participants. After controlling for current BMI, the amount of self-reported weight gain following smoking cessation differed significantly between groups, with the NBO group reporting an average gain of 5.0 kg and the BED group reporting 11.2-kg gain.


CONCLUSIONS
Since many individuals resume smoking due to cessation-associated weight gain, these findings highlight the need for targeted interventions for overweight individuals particularly those who also binge eat.
White
Marney A
MA
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. marney.white@yale.edu
Masheb
Robin M
RM
Grilo
Carlos M
CM
D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain