Effects of a 2-day abstinence from smoking on dietary, cognitive, subjective, and physiologic parameters among younger and older female smokers.

In a field study, dietary intakes, subjective ratings of well-being, cognitive performance, blood pressure, and heart rate were assessed during 6 days of ad libitum smoking and 2 days without smoking by using an electronic diary. The subjects were 59 younger and older female smokers, aged 25-35 and 55-65 years, respectively. Smoking abstinence significantly lowered heart rate, blood pressure, and saliva cotinine levels, indicating a good compliance by the subjects. Smoking abstinence was also followed by subjectively reported decreased levels of relaxation and activity and by higher levels of sleepiness, negative strain, and craving for smoking. Mental performance as assessed with the Stroop task was not affected by smoking abstinence. Whereas the percentage distribution of the macronutrients did not change with smoking abstinence, the intake of total energy increased significantly by 182 kcal/day. Main effects of age were found on some of the dietary parameters and Stroop performance variables only. A post hoc analysis revealed a significant influence of the employment status factor on the excess caloric intake and the increased frequency of sweet consumption when under abstinence. These increases were significantly greater in nonemployed (housewives, jobless) than in working women. Further correlational analysis revealed strong relations between caloric intake and simultaneous craving for smoking and food during abstinence but not during nonabstinence days, whereas no relation between caloric intakes and saliva cotinine or respiratory carbon monoxide were obtained. These findings suggest that the availability of food products and subjective withdrawal symptoms are probably more important moderators of increased dietary intake following smoking cessation than any pharmacologic systemic effects of nicotine.