Understanding Holiday Weight Gain

The holiday season is associated with significant weight gain, with many individuals adding one to five pounds from Thanksgiving through New Year's each year. This phenomenon is not exclusive to American culture; studies have shown similar trends in countries like Japan and Germany during their respective festive periods. Historically, feasting periods were balanced by famines, but modern lifestyles have shifted to continuous feasting without sufficient periods to lose weight. This change has resulted in a cycle where individuals gain weight during holidays, which often accumulates over the years, leading to long-term increases in body weight.