FRIDAY, July 7 (HealthDay News) -- Former smokers may gain more than 20 pounds after they kick the habit, instead of the five to 15 pounds commonly cited, new research suggests.

But that's no reason not to quit, the study's authors added. It may be a reason to add weight-control to the mix after quitting, however.

"The (new) findings highlight the need to provide effective dietary and physical activity counseling along with smoking cessation programs," the study authors advised in the current issue of Health Services Research.

The team, from the University of Michigan and the University of California, Berkeley, re-analyzed data from the 1998 Lung Health Study of 5,887 American smokers. That study found that those who quit smoking gained an average of nearly 12 pounds.

The new analysis concluded that the average weight gain among quitters was actually about 21 pounds. The authors of the new study said the initial analysis excluded morbidly obese smokers and didn't report racial and ethnic information -- meaning that caution was needed when applying those initial results to broad population groups.

The researchers used a new statistical method that enabled them to compare "apples to apples," they said in a prepared statement. They recommended that this method be used, when appropriate, in similar future studies.

The researchers emphasized that the new findings do not challenge the substantial overall health benefits gained by quitting smoking.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases offers advice on how to control your weight when you quit smoking.

-- Robert Preidt

SOURCE: Health Behavior News Service, news release, June 30, 2006

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