Change in eating pattern as a contributor to energy intake and weight gain during the winter holiday period in obese adults

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The winter holiday season in the US, which spans mid-November to mid-January, contributes to over half of annual body weight gain. Although self-reported data has linked this weight change to both increased energy intake and reduced physical activity, objective techniques have never been used and thus the actual cause of holiday weight gain is controversial. Here, we aimed to determine changes in components of energy balance leading to the holiday weight gain. Methods: Body weight change was compared between the pre-holiday (mid-September to mid-November) and the holiday period (mid-November to early January). Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured using doubly labeled water during holiday time (early to mid-December). Subjective (ratings) and physiological (appetite-regulating hormones) measures of appetite, eating-away-from-home frequency, and incentive salience of food pictures were also evaluated. Results: In 23 obese adults (87% female), body weight change during the holidays (0.41 ± 0.42 kg) was significantly higher (P=0.02) than the body weight change during the pre-holiday period (−0.86 kg ± 0.42 kg). The TEE was unchanged during the two periods, suggesting no role of energy expenditure on weight gain. However, participants reported lower satisfaction after a meal pre-load which was significantly correlated with increased body weight during the holiday period. An increase in number of episodes of eating at sit-down restaurants was also reported during that period. Overall, these changing behaviors were supported by a non-significant increase in energy intake (+80 kcal/day, P=0.07) observed during the study holiday period. Conclusion: We conclude that a decrease in energy expenditure does not result in the weight increase, but that an increase in food intake is the more likely cause. Our data imply that compromised internal satiety mechanisms in presence of external food cues and diet related behavioral variables during the holidays may influence this weight gain.

Self-reported changes in energy balance behaviors during COVID-19 related home confinement: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Small changes in body weight in relatively short periods may lead to substantial weight gain over time [1,15]. Notably, prior research suggests that short bouts of weight fluctuation, such as during the winter holiday period (November to January), may contribute to half of annual weight gain [16][17][18]. This rapid weight gain is likely to remain, especially in the high-risk populations of women and individuals with overweight and obesity [17,19,20].…”

Risk Factors Related to Weight Gain for Chines During Home Confinement in COVID-19 Pandemic: An Observational Retrospective Study

“…Because of the impact of self-isolation and holidays, people have reduced physical activity especially in daily exercise step change. People were easier to gain weight in average of 0.5 kg during holiday than usual (12,17). Unhealthy dietary habits, such as irregular eating and excessive food intake, are the essential factors resulting in weight gain.…”

“…In China, the breakout of the epidemic coincided with the Spring Festival. Some studies show that, the mean weight increased approximately by 0.5 kg during the holiday period, compared with the weight before the holidays (10,11), and that could be related to the increase in food intake (12,13). It was not clear whether the isolation during the holiday led to weight gain and increased BMI in China.…”

COVID‐19–Related Home Confinement in Adults: Weight Gain Risks and Opportunities

“…Through research on how holidays or vacations impact weight management, we know several things that may be relevant to the current shelter‐in‐place situations occurring as a result of COVID‐19. First, significant weight and fat mass accumulation can occur during a relatively short period (3‐6); second, individuals with overweight and obesity are at greater risk for this weight gain (3); third, regular exercisers or those with a previous high energy expenditure are not necessarily protected from weight gain (3,4,7); fourth, weight that is gained during a very short period is likely to remain in some populations, with women being at the greatest risk (5,6); and fifth, changes in eating behavior are likely the main driver toward energy surplus (4). If we apply this knowledge to extended home confinement because of COVID‐19, it is quite possible that significant body weight or fat mass gain is going to occur in adults, with women and adults with overweight or obesity being at the greatest risk for permanent change.…”