How does smoking affect BMI?

Is there a connection between being overweight and smoking? How does smoking affect BMI? Quitting smoking has led to an increase in weight for many individuals. However, this weight change should only be an outcome of psychological effects. It most likely relates to a self-perceived feeling of idleness. Inactivity tends to increase food consumption in many cases. Consuming unhealthy foods or an extra snack, thus increasing weight.

Smoking and BMI

Research for the relationship between BMI and smoking

A large number of research studies by both men and women have been conducted on how the use of tobacco affects BMI. There is no evident connection that tobacco lay grounds for an increase in body weight. It neither increases nor decreases the proportion of fatty tissue in the body.

The lowest mortality rates were found in people of average weight who did not use tobacco products, while the highest mortality was observed in individuals with overweight and heavy smokers. No correlation was found that tobacco caused any overweight.

Those who died during 40-years of research were found to have different causes of death. No relation has been observed concerning the association between smoking, BMI, and obesity.

Relationship between smoking and waist measurement

Some studies focusing on waist size have observed that increased waist size is found for smokers. That is especially true for women. However, there is no detectable relationship that indicates that smoking affects BMI or causes obesity. The relationship is believed to have its explanation in that smokers tend to have a more sedentary lifestyle.

Many smokers, on the other hand, consume more alcohol than non-smokers. Smoking may, therefore, have an impact on the BMI of those individuals. Here, you can read about how alcohol affects BMI.