Long-term effects of cessation of smoking on body weight, blood pressure and serum cholesterol in the middle-aged population with high blood pressure.

Smoking habits are continuously changing in the population. Cessation of smoking is not only often difficult but may lead to undesired consequences, esp. to weight gain. A random sample of 2283 persons with mild hypertension was followed up for 5 years in Eastern Finland and examined at the community-based cardiovascular program. During that time 30% of those smoking initially stopped smoking. Men gained weight on the average 3.6 kg upon stopping smoking (p less than 0.001) after controlling for age, change in fat and sugar intake and change in physical activity at leisure time). In women cessation of smoking was not related to weight changes. There was no evidence in this follow-up that smoking or cessation of smoking would have any independent impact on blood pressure or serum total cholesterol level.