Scientists asked the question: how much weight can a person gain during the holiday period? They found that even short-term spikes in excessive indulgence can lead to serious changes in the body. These can include disruptions in heart and immune system function, as well as disturbances in the gut microbiome.
The study examined data on Britons. It was found that during the holidays, the average Brit consumes about six thousand calories just on Christmas. This amount is two to three times higher than the recommended intake.
Experts say that excesses over a few days can lead to a temporary weight gain, but are unlikely to cause significant or long-term changes after returning to a normal lifestyle.
A significant portion of the extra weight is due to water retention and the accumulation of excess carbohydrates. Additionally, it is simply the accumulation of food, rather than fat storage. When the daily routine normalizes and physical activity increases, the weight will naturally decrease.
As noted by dietitian Dwayne Mellor, it has long been believed that consuming an extra 3000 calories leads to a weight gain of 0.5 kg. However, this is not averaged for everyone. How quickly a person gains weight depends on a number of factors: gender, body size, muscle mass, age, and level of physical activity.
Men tend to gain weight more slowly — this is related to body composition and the way fat is accumulated. As a result, two people consuming the same amount of extra calories during Christmas may experience completely different changes on the scales.
Sixteen years ago, a study was conducted that examined 195 people over six to eight weeks of holidays. It turned out that on average, they gained about 400 grams during this period. A similar study was conducted in Sweden — according to it, adults without obesity gained 0.4 kg over two to three weeks of New Year excesses. For people with obesity, this figure increased to 6.1 kg.
A later British study, the results of which were published in the journal PLOS One in 2020, observed more than 3500 people from late November to late January and found an average weight increase of 1.35%, which is equivalent to about 1.2 kg.
In the first three months after the holidays, this weight begins to decrease. The main thing is to get back on track after the holidays.
Short-term interventions during the Christmas holidays can help prevent a small weight gain that accumulates over time and leads to an obesity epidemic. This means that it is okay to relax at the table for a few days. It will not affect healthy habits.
