Effects of Exercise and Diet on Weight Gain During Nicotine Cessation in Rats1

The present experiment examined the effects of exercise and the prevention of access to sweet food on nicotine cessation-induced changes in body weight, body fat, and plasma insulin levels in rats. As in previous studies, nicotine administration reduced body weight gain and sweet food consumption, and nicotine cessation increased body weight gain and sweet food consumption. Exercise (swimming) reduced nicotine cessation-induced increases in weight gain and body fat, and reduced plasma insulin levels. Preventing access to sweet food also reduces plasma insulin levels and body fat, but did not reduce weight gain. Insulin sensitivity is discussed as a possible mechanism for changes in body weight resulting from nicotine administration and cessation. In addition, the possible implications of these findings for behavioral and pharmacological interventions to prevent weight gain induced by smoking cessation are presented.