Quitting Smoking Benefits Outweigh Those from Gaining Weight

The Framingham Offspring Study published a report showing that the cardiovascular benefits of quitting smoking outweigh the weight-gain associated health risks…. 

James Meigs, MD, senior author stated that, patients that quit smoking had a "50% reduction in the risk for heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death, and accounting for any weight increase didn’t change that risk reduction."

The Framingham Offspring Study began in 1971 and categorized patients into never smokers, current smokers, recent quitters (patients who had stopped smoking since their last exam), and long-term quitters. Each participant had a comprehensive medical exam every four to six years. There was an average weight gain of 1 to 2 pounds among smokers, never smokers, and long-term quitters. Recent quitters study group gained an average of 5-10 pounds since visiting their doctor previously.

In conclusion, the study showed that the risk of cardiovascular events in six years after quitting smoking decreased by 50% in patients without diabetes regardless of the weight gained.

JAMA, March 13, 2013