Compliance of Smokers with Diet and Exercise Suggestions and Changes in Weight and Body Mass Indices

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between weight and body mass index (BMI) changes in smokers during 1 year. Between June 1, 2012 and June 1, 2013, 460 individuals who applied to Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine Family Medicine Smoking Cessation Policlinic were interviewed by telephone, and a structured interview was conducted. Participants were asked about their current smoking status and weight. Exercise and diet suggestions were scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale to determine how well participants followed the suggestions. The data obtained were compared with anthropometric data from the patient's first visit to the outpatient clinic. Demographic data, social data, and smoking characteristics of the subjects (pack/year, Fagerstrom Nicotine Dependence Test [FNDT] scores) were examined with weight changes as independent variables. Overall, 100 cases (21.7%) did not smoke after one year, and 145 recurrent cases (31.7%) did not smoke for a mean of 4.21 +/- 4.14 months. Women who quit smoking were more likely to comply with exercise recommendations than others (F=2.875, p=0.015). Women who quit smoking gained 3.77 +/- 2.6 kg and their BMI increased by 1.33 +/- 1.9 kg/m(2). Men who quit smoking gained 5.03 +/- 3.2 kg in one year, and their BMI increased by 1.52 +/- 1.7 kg/m(2). It was observed that men who quit smoking gained more weight than women did (F=2.102, p<0.001). Our subjects gained weight within a year after quitting smoking. Detailed studies are needed to investigate weight gain after smoking cessation.