Smokers who kick the habit may gain more weight than previously thought, according to the results of a study of nearly 6,000 people who quit smoking. According to a study in the latest issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, University of Miami School of Medicine researchers, led by Dr. Peggy O'Hara, found that on average, men who quit smoking and did not start again gained 16.7 pounds in five years. Women who quit permanently gained 19.2 pounds over the same period. The men and women in the study gained 60% to 65% of this additional weight the first year after quitting, and gained the remainder over the next four years.

"Contrary to previous studies, our data do not suggest that weight gained in year one stabilizes or is lost by year five," stated O'Hara. Among other reasons, the men and women in the new study may have gained more weight than those in previous studies because they were heavy smokers, the researchers note. Previous research findings suggest that the more people smoke before quitting, the more weight they are likely to gain after quitting. O'Hara's team concludes that the "health benefits of quitting smoking outweigh the effects of weight gain," but advise that weight management intervention be introduced early in smoking cessation.

The ex-smokers in the study gained two to four times more weight than expected, given the results of previous research. Quitting can lead to weight gain for a number of reasons. Nicotine appears to speed metabolism, so even smokers who do not increase their food intake after quitting can still gain weight if they do not exercise more, according to O'Hara.

Nicotine may also suppress appetite. One answer to help ex-smokers keep the weight gain is a moderate increase in physical activity of between three and six hours per week of walking or one to two hours of jogging. In one study, smokers who increased their activity levels in this way gained only 4 pounds over 2 years. Future research should clarify the degree to which increases in physical activity can effectively help smokers to quit and to limit the attendant weight gain. In the meantime, implementing a regular program of physical activity may help smokers who wish to quit avoid the dual perils of relapse or obesity.

(From American Journal of Epidemiology, November 1998)

To address a growing rate of obesity among children, the government is urging schools to offer 1 percent and skimmed milk in addition to whole milk.

"For at least one in five kids, being overweight is not a cute phase that will be outgrown," Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced. "In the past 20 years the number of obese children has doubled, placing more Americans at risk of high cholesterol, blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and cancer -- all at an earlier age," Glickman said.

Glickman said both his department and the Centers for Disease Control, are urging schools to offer 1 percent and skim milk in addition to whole milk. However, he also said milk selections should reflect a child's need, noting that poor children who depend on school lunch programs for nutrition may need the calories and fat in whole milk.

"Kids from more economically secure homes are the ones with the fast food and other high-fat snacks more readily available," Glickman said. "So the lower fat milk is the healthier choice."