Effect of the Holiday Season on Weight Gain: A Narrative Review
Table 3
Studies evaluating the effect of the holiday period on body weight in children and college students.
Author, year, and country
Number of participants, mean age, sex, BMI, and prevalence of overweight/obesity
Date of
Sample, masking of participants,
Change in obesity parameter
p value
Branscum et al. 2010 United States
88 children (average age 9.1 years)
Boys = 53% Girls = 47%
BMI percentile =
Normal weight = 51% Overweight/obesity = 49%
Initial measurement: in early December.
Final measurement: in mid-January.
Convenience sample.
No.
Retention 98%.
BMI percentile = reduction 0.65
Hull et al. 2006 United States
82 university students (18–40 years)
Men = 45% Women = 55%
BMI = kg/m2
Normal weight = 66% Overweight/obesity = 34%
Initial measurement: November 14 to 22.
Final measurement: January 9 to 21.
Convenience sample.
No.
Retention 82%.
Weight = −0.1 kg
Weight of participants in all studies was measured as part of the study. Masking: the participants did not know that the study objective was to evaluate the effect of holidays on obesity parameters; BMI: body mass index.
