Most people believe that they gain between 5 and 10 pounds during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. However, a study by the National Institutes of Health found that the average weight gain was actually less than a pound gained in this six-week period. This may sound good but the main problem with this seems to be that weight gained in the winter is not lost during the rest of the year. Worse, this winter weight gain accumulates throughout our lifetimes. The result is that most Americans gain on average between 0.5 and 1.5 pounds per year throughout their adult lives. The conclusion of the researchers was that the cumulative effects of yearly winter weight gain likely contribute to the substantial increase in body weight that occurs as an adult. There is both good news and bad news here. The good news is that people don't gain nearly as much weight during the holidays as they believe. The bad news is that weight gained during this time is not lost during the rest of the year and it accumulates.

What can you do to avoid this accumulative weight gain? The study showed that the participants that were the most physically active during the winter had the least weight gain. Some even lost weight during this time. This suggests that increased physical activity may be an effective method of avoiding weight gain during this high-risk time. If you can avoid weight gain during the winter, you may be able to better control your weight over your lifetime. Based on the conclusions of the researchers, increased physical activity is the best way to help reduce weight gain during the holidays.

Excess weight is a primary contributing risk factor for the major chronic illnesses affecting Americans—heart disease and diabetes. It is also a contributing factor to other health problems such as back pain and arthritis. To help Taosenos avoid weight gain this holiday season we are kicking off our free weight management support group tonight, Thursday, December 4, 2008, from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Total Health and Wellness Center of Taos next door to Taos Pharmacy. Jen Birge, registered dietician, will lead the support group with helpful, healthy alternatives for weight loss or weight maintenance. Jen has worked at Holy Cross Hospital and Taos Pueblo for a number of years as a dietician. Her greatest interest is helping people avoid disease through weight management. We believe that participation in the weight management support group is a great first step toward a healthier future.

Jen Birge can be reached at 575-779-1172 for more information about the weight management support group or other dietician services.

References: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/holidayweightgain.cfm.

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