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It's no secret that cannabis ("marijuana") can cause an increase in appetite, commonly called the snack foodsbut that does not correspond to an increase in body weight, at least according to a new study from Michigan State University. The results contrast with the popular belief that frequent cannabis use can lead to weight gain due to an increase in snacking activity.
The study was recently published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, where the researchers detail the surprising result. Despite the increased appetite badociated with cannabis use, study participants who consumed it gained less weight than other participants who did not.
The data were obtained from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Allied Disorders, which included BMI of 33,000 adults 18 years and older. An badysis of all of this population revealed that cannabis users were on average 2 pounds less than non-consumers.
Among persistent cannabis users, 15% were obese, compared with 20% of non-users. Although the difference of 2 pounds is small, it is notable because of the large size of the sample and the vast behaviors that affect these people. The researchers cautioned, however, that cannabis should not be used as an aid to weight loss.
The reasons why users are less likely to be obese than non-users are not clear, but researchers believe this may be because they are more aware of their overall food consumption. The increase in appetite can cause the person to reduce his consumption during periods of non-use, resulting in a modest difference. It is also possible that the compounds of the plant have an effect on the body that reduces weight gain.
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