title: Back on track-Smoking cessation and weight changes over 9 years in a community-based cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the impact of smoking cessation on body weight compared with normal long-term weight development.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 1970 adults (20-69 years) in a rural town in Denmark invited to take part in the study in 1998-2000, 1374 (70%) participated. After 9 years, 1121 participated in the follow-up study. Weight changes were compared using multivariable regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean baseline weight of never-smokers was 76.4 kg (SD 16.0). The adjusted weight of smokers and ex-smokers differed by -4.2 kg (95% CI: -5.9, -2.6), and -0.7 kg (95% CI: -2.5, 1.1), respectively. The adjusted weight gain rate (kg/year) of never-smokers, smokers, and ex-smokers was 0.213, 0.127, and 0.105, respectively. The absolute post cessation weight gain (PCWG) was 5.0 kg (SD 7.0), and the adjusted PCWG was 2.8 kg (95% CI: 1.7, 3.9) compared with never-smokers, and 3.5 kg (95% CI: 2.3, 4.8) compared with smokers. The follow-up weight did not differ between quitters and never-smokers (0.1 kg; 95% CI: -2.4, 2.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smokers weigh less than never-smokers. By quitting, they gain weight and end up weighing the same as comparable never-smokers. Weight gain rates differ by smoking status. Consequently, PCWG depends on the length of follow-up. Our graphical model indicates that smoking cessation results in a return to normal weight development.
authors.affiliation: The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Postboks 2099, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark; Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Winsløwparken 19, 5000 Odense C, Denmark. Electronic address: rakra@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Rasmus
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Køster-Rasmussen
authors.affiliation: The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Postboks 2099, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: carolinepermin@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Caroline Amalie
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Permin
authors.affiliation: The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Postboks 2099, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: siersma@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Volkert
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Siersma
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Winsløwparken 19, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense, Denmark. Electronic address: Jan.Erik.Henriksen@rsyd.dk.
authors.forename: Jan Erik
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Henriksen
authors.affiliation: Research Unit for Dietary Studies at The parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Nordre Fasanvej 57, Road 8, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark; Institute of Preventive Medicine, Capital Region, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg University Hospitals, Nordre Fasanvej 57, Road 8, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark; The Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders, The University of Sydney, Level 2 Charles Perkins Centre D17, Johns Hopkins Drive, Camperdown NSW 2006, Australia; National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5 A, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: Berit.Lilienthal.Heitmann@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Berit Lilienthal
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Heitmann
authors.affiliation: The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Postboks 2099, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
authors.forename: Poul Erik
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Heldgaard
authors.affiliation: The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Postboks 2099, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: olivarius@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Fine Olivarius
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Body weight; Body weight changes; Cohort studies; General practice; Smoking; Smoking cessation; Weight gain; Weight loss