Smoking cessation

Suggested

2 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 27, 2026

Suggested2 studies

Quitting smoking reduces obesity-related disease risks and supports weight management

A large UK Biobank cohort study of 438,583 adults followed for 12.8 years found that individuals with obesity who maintained a non-smoking lifestyle alongside other healthy habits had significantly lower risks of ischemic heart disease (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.65–0.80), heart failure (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.53–0.80), gout (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.38–0.69), and mood disorders (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.56–0.78) compared to those with no healthy lifestyle factors. A systematic review of meta-analyses and systematic reviews further identified reduced smoking as a protective factor against obesity, particularly during pregnancy, where smoking cessation lowers risks of gestational diabetes and caesarean sections. Across both studies, not smoking consistently emerged as a key modifiable factor for mitigating obesity-related complications in both primary and secondary prevention strategies.

Evidence

Association of Healthy Lifestyle Factors and Obesity-Related Diseases in Adults in the UK

Authors: Carette, Claire, Czernichow, Sébastien, Hamer, Mark, Rassy, Nathalie, Rives-Lange, Claire, Van Straaten, Alexis

Published: May 26, 2023

This cohort study evaluated 438,583 UK Biobank participants aged 40-73 years followed for a mean of 12.8 years. Not smoking was one of four healthy lifestyle factors scored. Adults with obesity who met all 4 factors including not smoking had significantly reduced risks compared to those with 0 factors: ischemic heart disease HR 0.72 (95% CI 0.65-0.80), heart failure HR 0.65 (95% CI 0.53-0.80), gout HR 0.51 (95% CI 0.38-0.69), and mood disorders HR 0.66 (95% CI 0.56-0.78). The lifestyle profiles with lowest risks specifically included never smoking combined with healthy diet.

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Health policy strategies for the treatment of obesity: a systematic review

Authors: Konstantina Karaouli, Petros Pappas

Published: January 1, 2010

A systematic review synthesizing peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses from Medline, PubMed, and the Cochrane Database examined the relationship between modifiable risk factors and obesity. Reduced smoking rates during pregnancy were found to have a protective role against obesity, assessed alongside breastfeeding duration as early-life prevention factors. The review established that obesity is directly related to increased incidence of caesarean sections and gestational diabetes mellitus, with maternal smoking representing a modifiable contributor to these adverse outcomes. The evidence supporting smoking avoidance was part of the review's broader conclusion that primary and secondary prevention strategies lead to decreased obesity rates across populations in both developed and developing countries.

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