A Look at People’s Year-End Weight Gain Expectations
Year-end weight gain is a reality for many. The weight gain is influenced by a multitude of factors that occur during this holiday season. These factors include the abundance of parties and gatherings with large amounts of food and drinks, disrupted sleep cycles, heightened stress levels, reduced physical activity, and the prevalence of seasonal depression.
According to Everyday Health, the colder weather prompts an increase in overall food consumption, particularly leaning towards more indulgent choices. Additionally, the shorter, darker days throw our internal clocks off.
A survey commissioned by Herbalife, conducted by OnePoll, reveals that three-quarters of Americans are planning to enjoy the end of the year and not worry about their diet. Last year’s “Writing Off the End of the Year” survey had 54% of the 2,000 people surveyed feeling the same way. But this year, it went up to 72%.
Gearing up for year-end weight gain.
The survey also showed that the average person is gearing up to gain eight pounds during the holidays this year, up from 5.5 pounds last year. Half of the participants confess to having consumed to the extent of needing to loosen a belt or undo a button. Meanwhile 35% have gone to the extreme of eating until they felt uncomfortably full.
Nearly half of respondents admit to surpassing traditional meal boundaries, with 47% consuming more than three meals in a day. Additionally, 42% enjoy more than one dessert per meal. Interestingly, 59% have even duplicated a particular meal within a single day.
Despite the admission of breaking dietary regimens at the end of the year by 72% of respondents, nearly half attribute this lapse to irresistible holiday food. 78% admit to piling on the pounds during last year’s celebrations, and a chunk of them, 38%, are still carrying that holiday weight into 2023.
While succumbing to holiday temptations, 68% express confidence in adopting healthier habits in the upcoming new year. 47% of respondents are already contemplating New Year’s resolutions for 2024, which is an increase from the 32% who thought about it for 2023.
Take a look at the complete study here.
