A Prospective Study of Holiday Weight Gain

Yanovski, Jack A.; Yanovski, Susan Z.; Sovik, Kara N.; Nguyen, Thutrang T.; O’Neil, Patrick M.; Sebring, Nancy G.

doi:10.1056/nejm200003233421206

Cited by 289 publications

(279 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

254

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that although holiday weight gain averages only 0.4 kg -less than often claimed in the popular press -the weight that is gained during this 6-week period is not reversed during the remainder of the year. 14 Thus, holiday weight gain may contribute to the cumulative weight gain that is seen with aging. The study also showed that among overweight and obese individuals, there was a trend toward a large (42.3 kg) weight gain during the holiday period.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The role of conjugated linoleic acid in reducing body fat and preventing holiday weight gain

et al. 2006

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: The incidence of obesity and overweight in the US has increased considerably during the past two decades and currently affects 65% of the adult population. Research has indicated that small, yet irreversible, gains during the holiday season contribute to increases in weight during adulthood. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a naturally occurring dietary fatty acid, has been found to reduce weight gain and dramatically decrease fat mass in animals. Although research in humans has shown inconsistent results, most studies have been of insufficient duration or have utilized body composition methods that are less accurate than the currently accepted criterion. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 3.2 g/day CLA for 6 months. Subjects: Forty healthy, overweight subjects (age: 18-44 years; body mass index: 25-30 kg/m 2 ). Measurements: Body composition by the four-compartment model, resting metabolic rate (RMR) by indirect calorimetry, selfreported physical activity and dietary intake, and blood chemistries were determined at baseline and after 6 months. Body weight was measured monthly during the pre-holiday season (August-October), holiday season (November-December) and post-holiday season (January-March). Adverse events were assessed monthly. Results: Compared to CLA, the placebo group showed a greater rate of weight gain during the holiday season (P ¼ 0.01). Within the placebo group, holiday weight change was significantly greater compared to the pre-holiday period (August-October) (P ¼ 0.03). Six-month change in body composition was improved with CLA compared to placebo (P ¼ 0.02), and body fat was significantly reduced within the CLA group (À1.072.2 kg, P ¼ 0.05). CLA had no effect on RMR, physical activity or dietary intake. The rate of reported negative emotions decreased significantly with CLA, although there was no difference in any other category of adverse event. In comparison to the placebo, CLA did not affect insulin resistance, blood lipids and markers of liver function or markers of inflammation, with the exception of a significant decrease in a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction. Conclusion: CLA supplementation among overweight adults significantly reduced body fat over 6 months and prevented weight gain during the holiday season. Although no adverse effects were seen, additional studies should evaluate the effect of prolonged use of CLA.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research has shown that holiday weight gain contributes considerably to the annual weight gain that may be associated with incremental gains during adulthood, and that overweight and obese individuals are susceptible to greater holiday gains. 14 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of conjugated linoleic acid in reducing body fat and preventing holiday weight gain

et al. 2006

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…28,29 As data were collected throughout the year, seasonal variation in body weight could not affect the prevalence estimations. 30 One of the disadvantages is that the three towns in which measurements were performed may not be nationally representative. Another disadvantage of the present study is the decreasing response rate over time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term and recent time trends in the prevalence of obesity among Dutch men and women

2002

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

OBJECTIVE: To describe long-term and recent time trends in the prevalence of obesity by age and educational level. (1993 -1997). MEASUREMENTS: Body mass index, ie weight divided by height squared. RESULTS: Between 1976 and 1997 the prevalence of obesity increased from 4.9 to 8.5% among men and from 6.2 to 9.3% among women aged 37 -43 y. Between 1993 and 1997, the prevalence of obesity among men aged 20 -59 y was 8.5% and increased by 0.54 percentage points per year (P < 0.01). The prevalence of obesity among women was 9.6% and increased by 0.35 percentage points per year (P ¼ 0.07). The increase in the prevalence of obesity in the period 1993 -1997 was strongest in men with a relatively low educational level and in women with a high educational level. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a steady increase in the prevalence of obesity in the last quarter of the 20th century. Also, a recent increase in the prevalence of obesity has been seen. To stop the increase in the prevalence of obesity, effective strategies for the management and prevention of obesity need to be developed.

show abstract

“…The fourth study was a study of 'holiday' weight gain which examined weight gains in 165 adults over a 6 week Christmas holiday period in relation to total weight gain over 12 months. 6 Results showed that 51% of a total weight gain of 0.62 kg over the year of observation occurred during the Christmas holidays, suggesting that a substantial portion of adult weight gain may occur in spurts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Prevalence and correlates of large weight gains and losses

2002

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

OBJECTIVE:To examine the prevalence and correlates of large weight gains and losses over a 3 y period in a heterogeneous population of participants in a study of weight gain prevention. DESIGN AND MEASURES: Analyses based on a cohort of 823 participants in a weight gain prevention study whose weight was measured on at least two of four annual examinations. RESULTS: Weight gains and losses of ! 5% body weight over 1 y were observed in 9.3 and 15% of the population, respectively. Weight gains among those initially losing weight were significantly greater (3.9 kg) than among those experiencing stable weight (0.8 kg) or a large weight gain (1.5 kg) over the following 2 y. Cumulative weight changes over 3 y were 7 2.6, 1.0 and 7.6 kg among large loss, weight stable and large gain groups, respectively. Large weight loss was more common in smokers, large gains were more common in younger people and in those with a more extensive weight loss history, and stable weight was observed more often in individuals with less extensive histories of weight loss. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of large short-term weight gains and losses in this heterogeneous population, their apparent resistance to short-term reversal, and the strength of their relationship to longer-term weight trends suggest that rapid weight change over relatively short time intervals is a phenomenon that deserves more research attention. Short periods of rapid weight gain may contribute importantly to rapidly rising obesity rates.

show abstract

A Prospective Study of Holiday Weight Gain

Abstract: The average holiday weight gain is less than commonly asserted. Since this gain is not reversed during the spring or summer months, the net 0.48-kg weight gain in the fall and winter probably contributes to the increase in body weight that frequently occurs during adulthood.

Cited by 289 publications

References 29 publications

The role of conjugated linoleic acid in reducing body fat and preventing holiday weight gain

The role of conjugated linoleic acid in reducing body fat and preventing holiday weight gain

Long-term and recent time trends in the prevalence of obesity among Dutch men and women

Prevalence and correlates of large weight gains and losses

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About