- Obesity is the fifth leading cause of death around the world.
- In their recent systematic review, experts in Romania observed that people are more likely to gain and keep extra weight during the winter holidays.
- The researchers found that people with obesity perceive food differently than those with lower body mass indices (BMIs), which can lead to increased caloric intake.
- The experts say that ‘comprehensive’ and ‘persistent intervention and support’ may effectively counter progression of the disease.
Research from 2000 suggests that the winter holiday season, beginning from the last week of November to the first or second week of January, can be a time of significant weight gain.
Medical specialists at the Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi, Romania surveyed winter holiday dietary patterns. The cultural season is notorious for overconsumption of high-calorie, high-sugar foods, drinks, and alcohol, along with decreased physical activity.
The experts considered psychological factors influencing weight gain during winter holidays and the nutritional makeup of popular festive foods.
They found that most people in the studies they analyzed kept the weight they gained during the holiday season, especially those with obesity.
The researchers believe that this systematic review was the first to explore the significance of nutritional patterns during the winter holidays.
They hope that their findings, published in Nutrients, can help encourage behaviors linked to long-term success in weight management.
Older research suggested that Americans pick up an average of just under one pound during the holidays. However, research suggests that this gain often does not reverse as seasons change.
The extra weight can amount to more than 50% of the total gained…
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