Winter Holidays and Their Impact on Eating Behavior—A Systematic Review

Abstract

(1) Background: There has been a growing interest in understanding the causes of obesity and developing effective prevention strategies. Lifestyle change programs are often considered the gold standard for weight reduction, and they can help individuals with obesity achieve an annual weight loss of around 8–10%. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effect of food during the winter holidays. This knowledge will serve as a valuable foundation for the development of targeted interventions and prevention programs. (2) Methods: We conducted a systematic search of the literature via one database (PubMed). The search was limited to studies published in English in the last 10 years, with adult participants, but without specifying limits regarding the study design. We excluded articles that addressed intermittent fasting diets or weight loss intervention methods during the holidays through various diets. (3) In separate sections, we analyzed the psychological causes of gaining weight during the winter holidays, behavioral patterns, prevention strategies and the nutritional composition of the different types of food served during the festive period. Results: Using the combination of the terms “holiday and obesity”, “holiday and weight gain”, “festive season and obesity”, and “festive season and weight gain” we obtained 216 results involving the addressed topic. Thus, only ten articles remained after screening, with a total of 4627 participants. Most participants experienced weight fluctuations during the study period, particularly during holidays. One concerning observation was that most of the weight gained during these periods was maintained even after the end of the studies, especially in those with obesity. A supervised exercise program and a controlled diet at work over the Christmas period are effective strategies for avoiding weight gain and its deleterious effects in people with metabolic syndrome or weight problems. (4) In addition, attention must be focused on the psycho-social factors during the holidays because for some people it is a stressful period and can cause a much higher caloric consumption. The simplest method to approach during the holidays is to implement small tips and tricks during this period that will prevent individuals from gaining extra pounds. Conclusions: It is essential to acknowledge that obesity is a multifaceted condition that requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to address its underlying factors and provide ongoing assistance to individuals in their weight-management endeavors. Even the most effective short-term interventions are likely to produce continued positive outcomes with persistent intervention and support.

Seasonal variations of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its markers using big-data of health check-ups

“…One factor might be summer vacation or a festival in August. Various papers have reported that food intake increases and body weight and blood sugar levels rise during long holidays and festivals [ 18 , 19 , 29 , 35 , 36 ], and Japanese people traditionally take a long vacation around the Obon festival in August. Also, some papers reported that physical activity may help reduce the risk of MetS [ 37 , 38 ], and the number of steps of Japanese people is the lowest in August [ 39 ], so seasonal variation of physical activity may also be one of the reasons.…”

A 12-Week, Single-Centre, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Design Clinical Trial for the Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SKO-001 in Reducing Body Fat

“…In general, there are many factors that can cause weight gain in winter. These include reduced exercise, physiological responses to cold, and opportunities to consume high-calorie foods, for example, during winter holidays [ 30 , 31 ]. Research examining seasonal variations in food intake and metabolism has revealed that energy intake peaks during winter, declines notably with rising temperatures, and diminishes by approximately 25% during summer.…”

Chrononutrition in the Prevention and Management of Metabolic Disorders: A Literature Review

“…The majority of the existing studies have been focused on individuals affected by obesity or diabetes mellitus, while a lower number of studies have been performed on patients with cardiovascular diseases and NAFLD. In addition, favorable effects of IF were observed in religious periods such as Ramadan [ 41 ]; however, in specific periods like winter holidays, body weight fluctuations are more commonly observed [ 52 ].…”