Marijuana users weigh less than non-users

New evidence from Michigan State University suggests that those who smoke cannabis, or marijuana, weigh less than adults.

The results, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, are contrary to the view that marijuana users who have a serious case of nibbling will eventually gain more weight.

"Over a period of three years, all participants have seen their weight increase, but it is interesting to note that those who used marijuana had a smaller increase than those who never used marijuana", said Omayma Alshaarawy, senior author and badistant professor of family medicine. "Our study relies on growing evidence that this opposite effect is occurring."

The findings also suggest that new and persistent users are less likely to be overweight or obese overall.

"We found that users, even those who had just started, were more likely to have a normal, healthier weight and stay at that weight," she said. "Only 15% of persistent users were considered obese, compared to 20% of non-users."

The researchers used data from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Disorders and examined the body mbad index, or BMI, of 33,000 participants aged 18 and older, then compared the numbers.

While the actual weight difference between users and non-users was modest, about 2 pounds for a 5-foot-7 participant weighing about 200 pounds at the start of the study, the variance was predominant across the entire size of the study. the sample.

"An average difference of 2 pounds does not seem like much, but we found it in more than 30,000 people with all types of behaviors, and we always got that result," Alshaarawy said.

So, how does marijuana seem to affect weight? Alshaarawy said this remains relatively unknown, but there could be several factors.

"This could be something more behavioral, as if someone was becoming more aware of his dietary intake while he was worried about cravings after cannabis use and his weight gain," he said. she said. "Or it could be the use of cannabis itself, which can alter how certain cells, or receptors, react in the body and ultimately affect weight gain." Additional research needs to be done conducted. "

Alshaarawy warns, however, that marijuana should not be considered a help to the plan.

"Too many health problems related to cannabis far outweigh its positive, albeit modest, effects on weight gain," she said. "People should not think of it as a way to maintain or even lose weight."