Effect of the Holiday Season on Weight Gain: A Narrative Review

Several studies suggest that the holiday season, starting from the last week of November to the first or second week of January, could be critical to gaining weight. This study aims to review the literature to determine the effects of the holidays on body weight. In studies of adults, a significant weight gain was consistently observed during this period (0.4 to 0.9 kg,p<0.05). The only study in college students found an effect on body fat but not on weight (0.1 kg,p=0.71). The only study found in children did not show an effect on BMI percentile (−0.4%,p>0.05) during this period. Among individuals with obesity who attempt to lose weight, an increase in weight was observed (0.3 to 0.9 kg, significant in some but not in all studies), as well as increase in weight in motivated self-monitoring people (0.4 to 0.6%,p<0.001). Programs focused on self-monitoring during the holidays (phone calls and daily mailing) appeared to prevent weight gain, but information is limited. The holiday season seems to increase body weight in adults, even in participants seeking to lose weight and in motivated self-monitoring people, whereas in children, adolescents, and college students, very few studies were found to make accurate conclusions.

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Managing Obesity in Lockdown: Survey of Health Behaviors and Telemedicine

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041359 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1359

Author(s):

Noga C Minsky ◽

Dafna Pachter ◽

Galia Zacay ◽

Naama Chishlevitz ◽

Miriam Ben-Hamo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Eating Patterns ◽

Weight Changes ◽

Exercise Habits ◽

Prevent Weight Gain ◽

Vegetables And Fruits

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, billions of people have gone into lockdown, facing pandemic related challenges that engender weight gain, especially in the obese. We report the results of an online survey, conducted during Israel’s first quarantine, of 279 adults treated in hospital-based obesity clinics with counseling, medications, surgery, endoscopic procedures, or any combination of these for weight loss. In this study, we assessed the association between changes in dietary and lifestyle habits and body weight, and the benefits of receiving weight management care remotely through telemedicine during lockdown. Compared to patients not receiving obesity care via telemedicine, patients receiving this care were more likely to lose weight (OR, 2.79; p = 0.042) and also to increase participation in exercise (OR, 2.4; p = 0.022). While 40% of respondents reported consuming more sweet or salty processed snacks and 33% reported less vegetables and fruits, 65% reported more homemade foods. At the same time, 40% of respondents reported a reduction in exercise and 52% reported a decline in mood. Alterations in these eating patterns, as well as in exercise habits and mood, were significantly associated with weight changes. This study highlights that lockdown affects health behaviors associated with weight change, and advocates for the use of telemedicine to provide ongoing obesity care during future quarantines in order to promote weight loss and prevent weight gain.

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Modest weight gain is associated with sympathetic neural activation in nonobese humans

AJP Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpregu.00876.2006 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 292 (5) ◽

pp. R1834-R1838 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Christopher L. Gentile ◽

Jeb S. Orr ◽

Brenda M. Davy ◽

Kevin P. Davy

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Body Fat ◽

Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Abdominal Fat ◽

Neural Activation ◽

Burst Frequency ◽

Weight Stability

We tested the hypothesis that modest, overfeeding-induced weight gain would increase sympathetic neural activity in nonobese humans. Twelve healthy males (23 ± 2 years; body mass index, 23.8 ± 0.7) were overfed ∼1,000 kcal/day until a 5-kg weight gain was achieved. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA, microneurography), blood pressure, body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), and abdominal fat distribution (computed tomography) were measured at baseline and following 4 wk of weight stability at each individual's elevated body weight. Overfeeding increased body weight (73.5 ± 3.1 vs. 78.4 ± 3.2 kg, P < 0.001) and body fat (14.9 ± 1.2 vs. 18 ± 1.1 kg, P < 0.001) in 42 ± 8 days. Total abdominal fat increased (220 ± 22 vs. 266 ± 22 cm2, P < 0.001) with weight gain, due to increases in both subcutaneous (158 ± 15 vs. 187 ± 12 cm2, P < 0.001) and visceral fat (63 ± 8 vs. 79 ± 12 cm2, P = 0.004). As hypothesized, weight gain elicited increases in MSNA burst frequency (32 ± 2 vs. 38 ± 2 burst/min, P = 0.002) and burst incidence (52 ± 4 vs. 59 ± 3 bursts/100 heart beats, P = 0.026). Systolic, but not diastolic blood pressure increased significantly with weight gain. The change in MSNA burst frequency was correlated with the percent increase in body weight ( r = 0.59, P = 0.022), change in body fat ( r = 0.52, P = 0.043) and percent change in body fat ( r = 0.51, P = 0.045). The results of the current study indicate that modest diet-induced weight gain elicits sympathetic neural activation in nonobese males. These findings may have important implications for understanding the link between obesity and hypertension.

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Body Fat and Water Changes During Pregnancy in Women With Different Body Weight and Weight Gain

Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1016/s0029-7844(97)00355-4 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 90 (4) ◽

pp. 483-488 ◽

Cited By ~ 94

Author(s):

S LEDERMAN

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Body Fat

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Metabolizable energy levels in diets with a fixed nutrient: calorie ratio for free-range broilers

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2021v42n6supl2p4009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (6supl2) ◽

pp. 4009-4022

Author(s):

Thiago Rodrigues da Silva ◽

◽

Karina Márcia Ribeiro de Souza Nascimento ◽

Charles Kiefer ◽

Luanna Lopes Paiva Copat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Energy Level ◽

Body Fat ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Production Performance ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Protein Deposition

The present study proposes to examine the effect of dietary levels of metabolizable energy, under a fixed nutrient:calorie ratio, on the production performance; body fat and protein deposition; and carcass characteristics of free-range broilers from 1 to 84 days of age. Nine hundred unsexed chicks were allocated to six treatments in a completely randomized design with six replicates of 25 birds each. Treatments consisted of diets with varying levels of metabolizable energy (2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100 and 3200 Kcal ME/kg of diet) and a fixed proportion of nutrients relative to the energy level according to the nutritional requirements for each rearing phase. Body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, production viability, metabolizable energy intake, protein intake, lysine intake, body fat deposition, body protein deposition and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and, later, to regression analysis. Increasing levels of metabolizable energy, coupled with a fixed nutrient:calorie ratio, reduced feed intake, increased body weight and weight gain, improved feed conversion and did not affect carcass characteristics. In conclusion, adjusting the nutrient supply according to the dietary energy level improves production performance by improving feed conversion, ensuring adequate nutrient intake and preserving fat and protein deposition in the carcass when the metabolizable energy level is raised up to 3200 Kcal/kg in all rearing stages.

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Probiotics for the Treatment of Docetaxel-Related Weight Gain of Breast Cancer Patients—A Single-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Trial

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.762929 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Zhang Juan ◽

Zhang Qing ◽

Liang Yongping ◽

Liyuan Qian ◽

Wei Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Body Fat ◽

Breast Cancer Treatment ◽

Body Fat Percentage ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Fat Percentage

Background: Docetaxel is an important chemotherapy-agent for breast cancer treatment. One of its side-effects is weight gain, which increases the all-cause mortality rate. Considering gut microbiota is one important factor for weight regulation, we hypothesized that probiotics could be potentially used to reduce the docetaxel-related weight gain in breast cancer patients.Methods: From 10/8/2018 to 10/17/2019, 100 breast cancer (Stage I-III) patients underwent four cycles of docetaxel-based chemotherapy were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive probiotics (Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Enterococcus faecalis) or placebo (supplementary material of the probiotics capsule) treatment for 84 days with three capsules per time, twice/day. The primary outcome: the changes in body weight and body-fat percentage of the patients were measured by a designated physician using a fat analyzer, and the secondary outcomes: the fasting insulin, plasma glucose, and lipids were directly obtained from the Hospital Information System (HIS); The metabolites were measured using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); The fecal microbiome was analyzed using bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence. All indicators were measured 1 day before the first cycle of docetaxel-based chemotherapy and 21 days after the last cycle of docetaxel-based chemotherapy.Results: Compared with the placebo group, the probiotic group showed significantly smaller changes in body weight (Mean [SD] 0.77 [2.58] vs. 2.70 [3.08], P = 0.03), body-fat percentage (Mean [SD] 0.04 [1.14] vs. 3.86 [11.09], P = 0.02), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (Mean [SD]−0.05[0.68] vs. 0.39 [0.58], P = 0.002). Moreover, five of the 340 detected plasma metabolites showed significant differences between the two groups. The change of biliverdin dihydrochloride (B = −0.724, P = 0.02) was inverse correlated with weight gain. One strain of the phylum and three strains of the genus were detected to be significantly different between the two groups. Also, the changes of Bacteroides (B = −0.917, P < 0.001) and Anaerostipes (B = −0.894, P < 0.001) were inverse correlated with the change of LDL.Conclusions: Probiotics supplement during docetaxel-based chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment may help to reduce the increase in body weight, body-fat percentage, plasma LDL, and minimize the metabolic changes and gut dysbacteriosis.Clinical Trial Registration:http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=24294, ChiCTR-INQ-17014181.

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Impact of a workplace holiday weight gain prevention program

Nutrition and Health ◽

10.1177/0260106019854916 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 173-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mark G Wilson ◽

Heather M Padilla ◽

Lu Meng ◽

Carmen N Daniel

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

State Government ◽

Organizational Support ◽

Prevention Program ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Weight Gain Prevention ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Holiday Season ◽

Average Worker ◽

Workplace Setting

Background: The average worker gains 2–3 lb (0.9–1.4 kg) a year, about half of which is gained during the fall holiday season (Halloween through New Year’s). Aim: The aim of the study was to conduct a pilot test of a weight gain prevention program that was implemented in a workplace setting during the fall holiday season. Methods: 239 state government employees participated in a weight gain prevention program offered during the fall holiday season. The program was a 10-week, team-based program that consisted of self-monitoring, regular weigh-ins, a team challenge, and organizational support. Weight was measured at baseline, every two weeks during the program, and post-program. Results: Participants lost a significant amount of weight (from 196.7 lb/89.2 kg to 192.3 lb/87.2 kg) during the program. Positive changes were observed in physical activity and eating behaviors. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a weight gain prevention program during a high risk period (fall holiday season) can be effective.

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The Psychology of Food Cravings in Patients With First-Episode Psychosis

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2020.587486 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Young-Hyuk Kim ◽

Seunghyong Ryu ◽

Hee-Jung Nam ◽

Mina Kim ◽

Min Jhon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

First Episode Psychosis ◽

Psychological Characteristics ◽

First Episode ◽

Loss Of Control ◽

Food Cravings ◽

Significant Weight Gain ◽

Episode Psychosis

Objectives: Food cravings may cause weight gain in patients with schizophrenia. This study investigated psychological characteristics associated with food cravings in patients with first-episode psychosis.Methods: This study analyzed data from a clinical cohort of first-episode psychosis patients taking antipsychotics for 3 months or less. The strength of food cravings was measured using the General Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait (G-FCQ-T). Psychological characteristics and psychiatric symptoms were investigated with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Clinical characteristics were compared according to significant weight gain (≥10% increase in body weight compared to baseline) over 3 months. Associations between the G-FCQ-T and other psychiatric scales were investigated. We conducted sex-stratified analyses.Results: In total, 182 patients (78 males and 104 females) with first-episode psychosis were enrolled in this study. In females, the G-FCQ-T total score at baseline was associated with baseline body weight and significant weight gain over 3 months. The PSS scales were significantly associated the G-FCQ-T total and all subscale scores in female participants. Scores on the RSES and CDSS were significantly associated with the G-FCQ-T total score and with the preoccupation and loss of control subscale scores. The PANSS negative and general subscales were significantly associated with the positive outcome expectancy and loss of control subscales of the G-FCQ-T, respectively. In males, the only significant association was between the loss of control subscale and RSES scores. Linear regression analysis showed significant associations of PSS scores with the total and all subscale scores of the G-FCQ-T despite the loss of significance for other variables.Conclusion: These results indicate that the food cravings in patients with first-episode psychosis, which were associated with weight gain, were influenced by perceived stress in females. To reduce food cravings in female patients with schizophrenia, interventions aimed at perceived stress should be considered.

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Behavioral and endocrine traits of obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats on macronutrient diets

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.1998.274.6.e1057 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 274 (6) ◽

pp. E1057-E1066 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jian Wang ◽

Jesline T. Alexander ◽

Ping Zheng ◽

Hi Joon Yu ◽

Jordan Dourmashkin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Body Fat ◽

High Fat Diet ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Fat Intake ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Glucose Levels ◽

Sprague Dawley Rats

Patterns of eating behavior, body weight gain, and hormone changes were examined in normal-weight albino Sprague-Dawley rats on macronutrient diets. These diets consisted of either three separate jars with pure macronutrients, fat, carbohydrate and protein, from which to choose, or a single diet with different concentrations of fat and carbohydrate. Similar patterns on the choice-diet and single-diet paradigms were observed. During the first 7–10 days on these diets but not subsequently, the rats consuming a fat-rich diet exhibit significant hyperphagia, an increase in both total and fat intake that produces higher body weight gain. Compared with a 10% fat diet, a 30% fat diet is associated with a decline in insulin and corticosterone (CORT) levels, whereas a 60% fat diet produces an increase in circulating glucose. Levels of glucose are positively correlated with fat intake, and together these measures are consistently related to body fat. These relationships are most strongly expressed in rats that consume a fat-rich diet with >30% fat. Whereas insulin levels are also positively related to body fat, CORT is inversely related in these normal-weight subjects. In animals consuming a high-fat diet, a clear separation can be seen between “obesity-prone” (OP) rats with 100% greater body fat than “obesity-resistant” (OR) rats. The OP rats, which consume 15% more total calories, have significantly higher insulin and glucose levels. In animals that consume a diet with >30% fat, it is the OP but not the OR rats that exhibit a positive relation between fat intake, glucose levels, and body fat and reveal an additional association between carbohydrate intake, insulin, and body fat. Thus these rats on macronutrient diets exhibit distinct traits that relate behavior to hormone disturbances and adiposity and distinguish subjects that are prone vs. resistant to obesity.

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