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Patients often cite fear of gaining weight as a reason to continue smoking. This study eliminates that excuse. A portion of the Framingham Heart Study cohort (3251 adults; mean age, 48; mean body-mass index, 26 kg/m2) was evaluated every 4 years after their baseline assessments, at which they were free of known cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease, adverse cerebrovascular events, peripheral artery disease, or congestive heart failure).
During a mean follow-up of 25 years, the prevalence of smoking among the cohort declined from 31% to 13%, and 631 adverse cardiovascular events occurred. During any single 4-year assessment, participants who quit smoking gained significantly more weight (median, 2.7 kg) than smokers (0.9 kg) and nons…