Why Quitting Means Gaining

Sad but true: giving up cigarette smoking means battling the bulge, especially for women

Quitting cigarettes is generally something to celebrate, but for many ex- smokers there is a weighty price to pay on the scale. Last week a study by the Centers for Disease Control confirmed what many former smokers have learned from experience: people who swear off smoking can expect to gain weight -- an average of 3.8 kg (8 lbs.) for women, 2.8 kg (6 lbs.) for men. More disturbing is the finding that 1 in 8 women who quit -- and 1 in 10 male quitters -- add a hefty 13 kg (29 lbs.) or more, while continuing smokers tend to...

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