The Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) has announced that the TARGIT Research Study (Treating Adults at Risk for Weight Gain with Interactive Technology) has reached a milestone of enrolling 200 participants. The purpose of the study is to test an intervention, which targets young adult smokers who want to quit, but avoid weight gain that often occurs afterwards.
The UTHSC Department of Preventive Medicine still seeks men and women between the ages of 18 and 35 who are normal weight or above, smoke 10 or more cigarettes per day and want to quit smoking. Enrolled participants will receive nicotine patches at no cost, access to a telephone tobacco-quit line, interactive technology and $250 for follow-up visits. There is no cost to participate. Recruitment for this study will continue through August 2012, so there is still time to join.
“We are very excited that 200 young adult smokers have joined the TARGIT study to help themselves stop smoking without weight gain using interactive technology,” noted Karen Johnson, MD, MPH, principal investigator of the TARGIT study. “Time is running out for other young adult smokers to make this commitment and join the study. I encourage anyone who is thinking about quitting to give us a call. Just call 448-STOP — 448-7867 — to learn more.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases and reduces the health of smokers in general. Smoking can cause an increased risk of having a stroke, coronary heart disease and lung cancer. Some of the benefits of quitting smoking include improved lung function and fewer coughs. Quitting can also prolong your life and help you feel healthier.