Added on 05/01/10
According to clinical research, giving up smoking quickly can increase the chances of contracting type 2 diabetes in as little as 6 years. Experts have partly attributed this to the weight gain that occurs when somebody kicks the habit and have called for more advice to be given to patients.
They have however, also warned that smokers should not use this as an excuse to continue smoking. "If you smoke, give it up. That's the right thing to do. But people have to also watch their weight." says head of research; Hsin-Chieh Yeh.
The study involving 11,000 subjects took place at the John Hopkins University. It looked at middle aged adults, over a 17 year span and as a result of the research, experts have been able to determine that the risk of contracting type 2 diabetes was far higher during the initial 3 years after they quit.
Generally speaking, people who were reported to have quit smoking during this time gained around 8.4lb (4kg) whilst gaining 1.75in around the waist. It is worth noting however, that anybody who had not developed the condition in the first 10 years was at a far lower risk of suffering with it in the future. Care adviser for the charity, Diabetes UK; Natasha Marsland claims: “On no account should people use the theoretical results of this study as an excuse not to give up smoking. The health benefits of giving up smoking far outweigh the risk of developing type 2 diabetes from modest, short-term weight gain.” – Press Association,09.
To reiterate the opinions of experts, it is crucial that people do not use the findings as a procrastination tool, away from having to quit smoking as health experts worldwide believe that the health benefits associated with smoke cessation far out weight the negative health impact.
Anybody who is looking to kick the habit is advised to seek the help and advice of a trained health expert, who may be able to recommend Champix, a proven medication known to help with smoke cessation.
|
