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Weight Gain Calculator: Insights from Recent Research
Weight Gain After Smoking Cessation
Smoking Cessation and Weight Gain
Quitting smoking is often associated with weight gain. A meta-analysis of 62 studies found that individuals who quit smoking without any treatment or with pharmacotherapy experienced a mean weight gain of 4-5 kg within 12 months of cessation. Most of this weight gain occurred within the first three months1. The study also highlighted significant variation in weight change, with 16% of quitters losing weight and 13% gaining more than 10 kg1.
Pharmacotherapy and Weight Gain
The weight gain estimates were similar for individuals using different pharmacotherapies, such as nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and varenicline, compared to those who quit without any treatment1. This suggests that the choice of cessation aid does not significantly impact the extent of weight gain post-cessation.
Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Calculating BMI and Recommended Weight Gain
For pregnant women, calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI) is crucial to determine the recommended weight gain. For instance, a woman with a pre-pregnancy weight of 72 kg and a height of 1.62 meters would have a BMI of 27. Based on this BMI, the recommended weight gain during pregnancy is between 7 to 11 kg2. Monitoring weight gain through graphs can help track progress and ensure healthy weight management during pregnancy2.
Weight Gain in University Students
Freshman Weight Gain
The phenomenon known as the "Freshman 15" suggests that first-year university students gain an average of 15 pounds (6.8 kg). However, a meta-analysis of 32 studies found that the actual average weight gain is around 1.36 kg over five months, with 60.9% of students gaining weight during their freshman year3. Another meta-analysis reported a mean weight gain of 3.86 pounds (1.75 kg) during the first year of college, identifying factors such as recent dieting, high baseline weight, and psychological stress as potential contributors4.
Implications for Health Promotion
Despite health promotion policies in universities, consistent weight gain among students indicates a need for more effective strategies to address this issue3 4. Understanding the predictors of weight gain can help in devising targeted interventions to prevent excessive weight gain during this critical period.
Long-Term Weight Gain and Lifestyle Factors
Dietary and Lifestyle Behaviors
Long-term weight gain is influenced by specific dietary and lifestyle behaviors. A study involving 120,877 U.S. women and men found that weight gain over four-year intervals was strongly associated with the intake of potato chips, potatoes, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red meats. Conversely, the intake of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and yogurt was inversely associated with weight gain5. Other factors such as physical activity, alcohol use, smoking status, sleep duration, and television watching also independently affected weight change5.
Preventive Strategies
The findings suggest that modifying dietary and lifestyle behaviors can significantly impact long-term weight management. Strategies to prevent obesity should focus on reducing the intake of high-calorie foods and increasing the consumption of healthier options, along with promoting physical activity and healthy sleep patterns5.
Conclusion
Understanding the factors contributing to weight gain in different contexts—such as smoking cessation, pregnancy, university life, and long-term lifestyle choices—can help in developing effective weight management strategies. By addressing these factors, individuals can better manage their weight and reduce the risk of obesity and related health issues.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Weight gain in smokers after quitting cigarettes: meta-analysis
Smoking cessation leads to a mean increase of 4-5 kg in body weight after 12 months, with 16% of quitters losing weight and 13% gaining more than 10 kg.
Meta-Analysis
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedWeight Gain During Pregnancy.
• For example, if your pre-pregnancy weight is 72 kg and your height is 162 centimetres (1.62 meters), to work out your BMI divide your weight by your height then divide again by height 72 ÷ 1.62 ÷ 1.62 = 27. • From this example, your BMI is 27; your recommended weight gain is 7 to 11 kilos. You can also follow how your weight is progressing by plotting it on a graph. Graphs for your BMI are available on our website – see For more information section below. If you are having twins, there is information about recommended weight gain in the fact sheet Healthy eating when pregnant with twins.
Highly CitedA meta-analysis of weight gain in first year university students: is freshman 15 a myth?
First-year university students experience consistent weight gain, with 60.9 percent gaining weight and those who gained weight at faster rates than the general population.
Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalHighly CitedThe ‘Freshman 5’: A Meta-Analysis of Weight Gain in the Freshman Year of College
The first year of college is a vulnerable period for weight problems, with factors like recent dieting, high baseline weight, and psychological stress contributing to weight gain.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedChanges in diet and lifestyle and long-term weight gain in women and men.
Specific dietary and lifestyle factors independently contribute to long-term weight gain, with significant aggregate effects and implications for obesity prevention strategies.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedSupervised exercise-based intervention to prevent excessive gestational weight gain: a randomized controlled trial.
Supervised light- to moderate-intensity exercise during pregnancy can help prevent excessive gestational weight gain, especially in normal weight women.
RCT
Large Human TrialHighly CitedInnovative Self-Regulation Strategies to Reduce Weight Gain in Young Adults: The Study of Novel Approaches to Weight Gain Prevention (SNAP) Randomized Clinical Trial.
Self-regulation plus small changes and self-regulation plus large changes significantly reduce weight gain in young adults, with large changes focusing on initial weight loss.
RCTLarge Human TrialRigorous JournalHighly CitedA new chart to monitor weight gain during pregnancy.
The new chart for monitoring maternal weight gain during pregnancy, based on maternal weight for height, can lead to higher birth weights for low-income mothers in the US and Chile.
Observational StudyHighly CitedA prospective study of holiday weight gain.
The average holiday weight gain is less than commonly assumed, and the net 0.48-kg weight gain in fall and winter contributes to the increase in body weight often experienced during adulthood.
Observational StudyHighly CitedAdult weight gain and the risk of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Adult weight gain is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, with a sharp increase in risk from baseline up to 25 kg weight gain.
Meta-Analysis