A prospective study on vacation weight gain in adults

Area of Science:

• Behavioral science
• Obesity research
• Public health

Background:

• Weight gain is a significant public health concern.
• Understanding factors contributing to weight gain is crucial for developing effective interventions.
• Vacations are a common adult experience that may influence weight.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if short vacations lead to weight gain in adults.
• To determine if vacation-induced weight gain is sustained post-vacation.
• To examine the persistence of weight gain six weeks after vacation.

Main Methods:

• 122 adults were monitored through three visits: pre-vacation, 1 week post-vacation, and 6 weeks post-vacation.
• Measurements included body weight, height, blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio, physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire - IPAQ), and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale - PSS).
• Statistical analyses were performed to assess changes in weight and other parameters.

Main Results:

• A significant average weight gain of 0.32kg was observed during vacation, persisting to 0.41kg at the 6-week follow-up.
• No significant differences in weight gain were found across different baseline BMI categories (normal weight, overweight, obese).
• Perceived Stress Scale scores decreased significantly post-vacation, while physical activity increased during vacation but decreased afterward.

Conclusions:

• Short vacations lead to measurable and persistent weight gain in adults.
• This vacation weight gain may be attributed to increased energy intake exceeding energy expenditure.
• Accumulated vacation weight gain could be a significant factor in adult yearly weight gain and contribute to rising obesity prevalence.