Extra pounds healthier than smoking, study finds
March 12, 2013 But researchers say that's not so. A study of 3,000 people in the "Journal Of The American Medical Association" finds despite 6 pounds of weight gain, which is the average, quitters still had half the chance of suffering a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event.
"Patients and often their doctors are worried about patients quitting smoking if they are a little overweight or if they have diabetes because they think maybe they'll cause more harm than good," Dr. Nancy Rigotti, Massachusetts General Hospital, said.
"If you're a current smoker you'll get a tremendous benefit from stopping smoking you may gain a little weight but that won't reduce the benefits of stopping smoking," Dr. James Meigs, Massachusetts General Hospital, said.
The take-home message? Ex-smokers' extra pounds are still less unhealthy than their previous habit.