The role of physical activity in nicotine's effects on body weight.

The present study examined the effects of chronic nicotine administration and cessation of nicotine administration on body weight and 24-hour physical activity of rats. There was a significant, inverse, dose-effect relationship between nicotine administration and body weight. Cessation of nicotine was accompanied by increased rates of body weight gain compared to controls. The changes in body weight during nicotine administration could not be explained by changes in physical activity. However, decreases in physical activity after cessation of nicotine appeared to contribute to post-drug body weight increases. These findings have implications for weight control after cessation of cigarette smoking.