Women's Health on Smoking: If You Quit, Will You Gain?
As a regular columnist, Ruth Shaber, MD, our women's health leader in Northern California, offers expert advice and information on health issues facing women today.
"Sure I'd like to quit smoking, but I'm really afraid of gaining weight."
Many women don't gain weight after quitting, and for those who do, most gain 5 to 10 pounds.
This is a common concern, especially for women. While some weight gain is common after quitting smoking, don't let the possibility of a few pounds stand between you and quitting.
Many women don't gain weight after quitting, and for those who do, most gain 5 to 10 pounds. You'd have to gain 75 to 100 pounds in order to equal the health risk associated with smoking one pack a day.
If you're worried about your appearance, smoking may change your looks more than weight would.
If you're worried about your appearance, smoking may change your looks more than weight would. People who smoke lose the collagen in their skin, which results in wrinkles and sagging—especially around the mouth. And no amount of sunscreen or moisturizer can prevent or reverse it.
Tobacco also stains teeth and causes tooth enamel to wear away. Studies also show that smoking is associated with increases in anxiety, insomnia, and depression in young women.
Women who smoke around their young children increase their children's risk of infections and asthma.
There are some new, more effective ways to help smokers quit and prevent weight gain. Nicotine replacement therapy (gum or patches) and prescription buproprion pills may delay weight gain while quitting. Becoming more physically active helps prevent weight gain and increases your chances of successfully quitting smoking.
Think You Might be Ready to Quit Smoking?
Check out our Healthy Living page for interactive tools to help you quit. Or sign up for an online personalized strategies to help you kick the habit for good. We also offer stop-smoking classes , the Health Education department will be able to give you more details.