Women who quit smoking during pregnancy less likely to remain nonsmokers because of concerns about weight

Women who quit smoking before pregnancy are less likely to remain nonsmokers after giving birth largely because of concerns about gaining weight, according to a study to be published in the October issue of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Michele Levine, a professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and colleagues interviewed 119 women who had smoked at least eight cigarettes daily but had quit when they learned they were pregnant.

Researchers looked at the relationship of weight concerns and mood to the women's motivation to remain nonsmokers postpartum, the Times reports.

During their third trimesters, the women were asked whether they planned to resume smoking after they gave birth (MacGregor, Los Angeles Times, 9/18).

According to the study, which was conducted from February 2000 through November 2004, 65% of women were highly motivated to remain nonsmokers postpartum.

Motivated and nonmotivated respondents were similar in age, race and nicotine dependence, according to researchers (Levine et al., ABM, 10/1).

The 35% of women who reported having less motivation to remain smoke-free after pregnancy were more concerned about managing their weight than those who were motivated to remain nonsmokers, the Times reports.

Researchers also found that women who planned to breast-feed were more likely to plan to refrain from smoking. "Thinking about weight is important in understanding women's smoking after pregnancy," Levine said, adding, "Women are complex creatures.

More than just whether they are going to breast-feed the baby, or are addicted to nicotine, or are addicted to alcohol, health care providers need to think about psychological issues like weight worries" (Los Angeles Times, 9/18).