The relationships between ethnicity, gender, and short-term changes in energy balance following smoking cessation

Abstract

Although weight gain is a well-established consequence of quitting smoking, the energy balance mechanisms responsible for postcessation weight gain are not clear. Furthermore, although gender and ethnicity are important predictors of postcessation weight gain, no studies have evaluated the effects of these variables on changes in energy balance. This study investigated short-term changes in energy balance following smoking cessation in 95 smokers. In as little as 2 weeks, smoking cessation was associated with a significant increase in body weight (1.05 kg). Smoking cessation was also associated with an increase in energy intake (1440 kJ/day), and no changes in energy expenditure (physical activity; resting energy expenditure, REE) were observed. Changes in body weight and energy balance did not differ by gender or ethnicity. Predictors of weight gain included baseline carbon monoxide (CO) level, baseline REE per kg of body weight, and changes in energy intake. These findings provide valuable information about the mechanisms responsible for at least the early stages of postcessation weight gain.