Holiday weight gain: fact or fiction?

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Public Health
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Rising global obesity prevalence necessitates understanding contributing factors.
• Seasonal weight fluctuations, particularly during holidays, are often cited but not well quantified.
• Identifying specific drivers of weight gain is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the average weight gain during the holiday season (Thanksgiving to New Year).
• To examine if weight gain differs between normal weight and overweight/obese individuals.
• To determine the contribution of holiday weight gain to total annual weight gain.

Main Methods:

• A convenience sample of 195 adults was recruited for the study.
• Weight was monitored over a 6-week period encompassing the winter holidays.
• Statistical analysis was performed to assess average weight gain and its proportion of annual gain.

Main Results:

• Average weight gain during the 6-week holiday period was 0.37 kg.
• Individuals who were overweight or obese experienced greater weight gain.
• 14% of participants gained more than 2.3 kg (5 lb) during the holidays.
• Holiday weight gain accounted for 51% of the total annual weight gain in the study population.

Conclusions:

• Holiday weight gain is a significant contributor to annual weight gain and potentially to the rising prevalence of obesity.
• While average holiday weight gain was modest, its impact on annual gain is substantial.
• Further research with representative populations is recommended to validate these findings.