Christina Zorbas1, Erica Reeve2, Shaan Naughton2, Carolina Batis3, Jillian Whelan2, Gade Waqa4, Colin Bell2. 1. Global Obesity Centre, School of Health and Social Development, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. czorbas@deakin.edu.au. 2. Global Obesity Centre, School of Health and Social Development, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. 3. Mexico Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT), Health and Nutrition Research Center, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico. 4. C-POND, CMNHS Research, School of Public Health and Primary Care, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Whilst evidence indicates that weight gain occurs over holidays, the contribution of specific festive periods and celebrations to eating behaviour and weight gain is unclear. We aimed to synthesise literature on how festive periods and celebrations contribute to population weight gain and weight-related outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Thirty-nine studies examining (i) body weight changes, (ii) determinants of eating behaviour or (iii) weight-gain prevention interventions during festive periods were systematically reviewed. Of the 23 observational studies examining changes in body weight during festive periods, 70% found significant increases (mean 0.7 kg). Only four studies investigated exposure to food cues and overeating during these periods, with heterogeneous results. All six intervention studies found that weight gain can be mitigated by self-weighing/self-monitoring and intermittent fasting. Interventions targeting festive periods could have a significant impact on population weight gain. The scalability and sustainability of such interventions require further investigation, as do the broader socioecological factors driving unhealthy eating during festive periods.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Whilst evidence indicates that weight gain occurs over holidays, the contribution of specific festive periods and celebrations to eating behaviour and weight gain is unclear. We aimed to synthesise literature on how festive periods and celebrations contribute to population weight gain and weight-related outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Thirty-nine studies examining (i) body weight changes, (ii) determinants of eating behaviour or (iii) weight-gain prevention interventions during festive periods were systematically reviewed. Of the 23 observational studies examining changes in body weight during festive periods, 70% found significant increases (mean 0.7 kg). Only four studies investigated exposure to food cues and overeating during these periods, with heterogeneous results. All six intervention studies found that weight gain can be mitigated by self-weighing/self-monitoring and intermittent fasting. Interventions targeting festive periods could have a significant impact on population weight gain. The scalability and sustainability of such interventions require further investigation, as do the broader socioecological factors driving unhealthy eating during festive periods.
Entities:
Keywords:
Feasting; Festive season; Holidays; Obesity; Weight gain
Authors: Fabio Fabbian; Pedro Manuel Rodríguez-Muñoz; Juan de la Cruz López-Carrasco; Rosaria Cappadona; María Aurora Rodríguez-Borrego; Pablo Jesús López-Soto Journal: Healthcare (Basel) Date: 2021-02-09