My Diabetes Information Blogs
Quitting Smoking Yields Small Weight Gain, Large Diabetes Advantage
12/18/07
Prediabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance
People often fear that they will gain a large amount of weight if they quit smoking. While a person may put on few pounds, the benefits of kicking tobacco are enormous in your fight against diabetes and other diseases.
"Although a frequent concern of smoking cessation is subsequent weight gain, moderately increasing exercise can largely minimize the approximately [4.4 lbs.] weight gain associated with stopping smoking," write editorialists in a recent edition of JAMA.
With a little exercise, most people can avoid gaining any weight. Furthermore, people who quit smoking often experience improved insulin function—a bonus for diabetics and prediabetics.
Writers in the December 12, 2007 issue of JAMA point out that dozens of studies show that smokers run a greater risk of developing diabetes than non-smokers. Furthermore, more smokers have glucose abnormalities.
If you are a smoker take heart. According to statistics most smokers have attempted, but failed, to quit smoking a number of times. However, people who are willing to attempt to quit multiple times eventually succeed.
If you have never tried quitting, try combining the latest psychological therapy with medication. More quitters are succeeding.
Source:
JAMA, December 2007