Weight Management for Quitters: A Practical Guide to the Most Common Cessation Barrier
Weight gain is the most commonly cited barrier to quitting—especially among women. Managing weight during cessation is possible with specific strategies: exercise, nutrition, and pharmacological support. The cessation system rarely provides them.
The average post-cessation weight gain is 4-5 kg in the first year. The gain is driven by increased appetite (nicotine is an appetite suppressant) and decreased metabolic rate (nicotine is a metabolic stimulant). **Managing weight during cessation requires: exercise (moderate activity reduces craving and burns calories), nutrition (high-fiber foods stabilize blood sugar, reducing craving-driven snacking), and pharmacological support (NRT can slow weight gain, and bupropion is associated with modest weight loss). The cessation system provides almost none of this.**
