INTRODUCTION Weight gain after tobacco cessation is an issue of great relevance, as it hinders the success of the process. After a year of follow-up, this gain is about 5 kg in most studies.
METHODS: 400 cases were collected by systematised sampling out of the 2489 patients who attend the Tobacco Unit of the University Hospital of Salamanca between 2009 and 2015. The variables analysed were gender, age, BMI, cigarettes-day, packets-day, Fargeström test score and weight after 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A sustained weight gain was observed during the 12 months follow-up, with a mean gain of 3.03 kg. At the beginning of the study, most patients showed a healthy BMI (< 25 kg/m2) whereas in the end, the majority moves to the overweight I category (25-27 kg/m2). Weight gain was not related to gender, success at the end of the follow-up or age. However, post-cessation gain was higher in patients who smoked more than 25 cigarettes-day, with significant tobacco consumption (packet-year >20) and with a Fargeström test score over 6 points. See Figures 1 and 2.