Weight and body composition change over a six-week holiday period

Eat Weight Disord. 2012 Mar;17(1):e54-6. doi: 10.1007/BF03325328.

Abstract

Change in weight and body composition was assessed over a six-week holiday period. Baseline testing occurred the Monday or Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving Day (November 24 or 25, 2008), and the post-holiday assessment was the Monday or Tuesday after New Year's Day (January 5 or 6, 2009). Thirteen men and 21 women ranging in age from 23-61 years completed the study. The majority of participants (24 of 34) perceived that they had gained weight, and four did gain ≥2 kg. However, despite some changes to dietary and exercise habits, on average there was no difference between pre-holiday weight (74.0±17.8 kg) and post-holiday weight (73.9±18.1 kg), nor between pre-holiday body fat percentage (25.4±9.0%) and post-holiday body fat percentage (25.4±8.9%). Despite a perception of substantial weight gain, body weight and body fat remained unchanged over a six-week holiday period.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Composition*
  • Body Image*
  • Exercise
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Holidays*
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Weight Gain*
  • Weight Loss*