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Holiday weight gain: fact or fiction?

Posted By: Stacy Rhea on 11/08/2010

Holiday weight gain: fact or fiction?

Exaggerated claims state, on average, that people gain five pounds during the winter holidays.

The truth: Studies show the average weight gain during the winter holidays is just one pound.

That’s good news right? Wrong!

According to a report by The New England Journal of Medicine, most people never lose the pound of weight put on during the holidays. This adds up year after year.

An abstract published on PubMed.gov states, “weight gain was greater among individuals who were overweight or obese, and 14 percent gained more than 2.3 kg (5 lb). In addition, among the entire population, weight gain during the seix-week holiday season explained 51 percent of annual weight gain.”

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma found weight gain among college students to be consistent with adults.

Adding it all up
The numbers are stacking up against you. Adding just one pound per year, from the time you are in college to your mid-forties, is roughly a gain of 25 pounds. Depending on your lifestyle and genetics, the additional weight may represent much more than an increase in body fat. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, “a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries,” are just a few of the major health issues that can arise.

It’s OK to enjoy the holidays, even indulge, but don’t overlook exercising, portion control and other strategies that can aid in maintaining your weight this holiday season.

Want to know more?

Join Fitness Together in Hudson on Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. for a free presentation on how to stay fit and healthy this holiday season. Register online to reserve your seat.  

When you RSVP you are automatically entered in a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate from Chagrin’s Personal Chef. 

Stacy Rhea is Fitness Together’s Director of Public Relations; she also trains clients at several FT studios in Cleveland.  She has more than 18 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, having spent 14 years as a personal trainer and four years as the editor of Ohio Sports & Fitness magazine.  She is also the founder and president of Grunt Girl Racing, an all-women’s multi-disciplinary team that provides knowledge, inspiration and motivation to athletes in Cleveland.  Have a question or comment about this post? Ask Stacy: stacyrhea@ftohio.com