Half of Australian women who smoke choose to do so to stay thin, according to a leading Australian weight management company.

In a study released recently by Jenny Craig Australia, 53% of women smokers surveyed believe their cigarettes caused them to eat less, with 45% confirming they gained weight when they stubbed out their nasty habit. What’s worse is that 46% started smoking again. 

Karen Inge, one of Australia’s leading accredited practising dietitians, comments; “Women are losing direction when it comes to making healthy lifestyle decisions. Obesity is on the increase but smoking to control weight is certainly not the answer.”

Tobacco smoking is the single largest cause of preventable death in Australia, killing more than 19,000 Aussies a year – or 50 lives a day*.

“Smoking to lose weight is just replacing one bad habit with another.  Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and the threat of lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis , emphysema and lung cancer..  Smoking can also lead to decreased bone density, one of the risk factors in osteoporosis,” says Karen Inge.

“It has been suggested that the stress on your heart of smoking one pack of cigarettes per day is equal to being around 40 kg overweight. **,” she says.  “It shouldn't take a heart attack or a stroke to bring the reality of poor health choices home.”

“Losing weight requires a fully integrated program which is designed to empower, re-educate and develop a healthy relationship with food. Smoking to manage your weight results in serious long term health issues and is not an alternative method for weight loss.”

Inge says that when it comes to effective weight loss Jenny Craig can help.

“While motivation gets you started, Jenny Craig’s SkillPower will keep you going. The program is designed to equip people with the skills and strategies to manage weight for the long term.”

Comments (0)