Is Leptin Responsible for Weight Gain After Smoking Cessation?




skinny smoker

One unpleasant side effect of quitting smoking is a rapid weight gain. Studies show that, already within the first month after stopping smoking, ex-smokers start pilling up extra-weight, especially adipose tissue around their bellies. Unfortunately, in most cases, this tendency for after-smoking weight gain does not stop but continues progressing. It is estimated that, within five to ten years after smoking cessation, African Americans can gain up to 24 pounds of excess weight, while whites - up to 20 additional pounds. Weight gain is especially pronounced in female ex-smokers.

There are a number of theories trying to explain this well-established tendency for after-smoking weight gain. One of them is that body levels of protein-based hormone leptin, the substance involved in controlling appetitive and weight, tend to fall after smoking cessation. However, a recent study conducted by a team of researchers of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and published in the journal of Nicotine & Tobacco Research, shows that, contrary to what was suspected before, leptin does not play a significant role in ex-smokers’ weight gain.

Leptin is one of the “feel-good” hormones, which increases fat burning, reduces appetite, and controls weight. Previous research suggested that smoking greatly elevates leptin levels, which could explain why smokers are generally thinner than non-smokers and why they tend to eat more, suffer from depression, and quickly gain weight after kicking the habit.

However, the new study has not found any significant differences in leptin levels of smokers, non-smokers, and ex-smokers of both genders. A small group of female subjects who have recently quit smoking and gained about four pounds of weight each, showed a sharp rise in the level of leptin, instead of an expected fall. Interestingly, leptin levels remained the same in the male subjects.

Obviously, the new study has shown results that contradict to the previously conducted research in the fields of leptin and after-smoking weight gain. The researchers suggest that hormones other than leptin could be responsible for cessation-triggered weight gain.

The study included 77 participants of different age groups. It was sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Melanie Twist

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Posted on April 5, 2008 
Filed Under Stop Smoking News, Tobacco Research

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