Vacation Weight Gain can Contribute to Obesity Down the Road

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Holidays and vacations mean giving one's self a little bit more room for indulgence, and oftentimes, people do indulge in food and alcohol without knowing the ultimate consequences of these holiday binges.

About 69% of Americans are overweight, and 35.1% of the population are obese, according to the CDC. Being overweight and obese contribute to a number of health problems, most prominently diabetes and heart disease.

A small study conducted by an associate professor in the department of foods and nutrition at the University of Georgia has revealed the relationship between holiday binges and vacation weight gain, and one's long term health, Eurekalert reports. The study, which was published in the journal "Physiology and Behavior" shows that most people who go on vacations come back with some extra baggage--in their bodies.

HealthDay reports that researchers studied 122 American adults aged 18 to 65 who went on one- to three-week vacations between March and August. They found that among these people, 61% gained weight while on vacation, with an average of 0.7 pounds. Moreover, they found that this weight gain was maintained even after they went back home. Some study subjects even put on as much as seven pounds, while others lost weight.

Researchers found that one of the main factors of vacation weight gain was the increased intake of calories, especially from alcohol. Before a vacation, the average number of drinks were at eight, but during a vacation, it went up to 16 drinks per week on average.

"If you're only gaining a pound or two a year and you gained three-quarters of that on a one- to three-week vacation, that's a pretty substantial weight gain during a short period of time," study author Jamie Cooper said, as per WebMD.

"One of the challenges people face is unless you're diligent about weighing yourself before and after vacation, usually you're not going to notice a pound of weight gain," he added. "People don't realize it's happening, and that's why they don't lose weight following a vacation."

However, there are still benefits to a vacation, as Cooper explains that study participants showed lowered levels of stress and a slight reduction in systolic blood pressure that continued up to six weeks after the vacation. Cooper attributes this to the physical activities during vacation, such as sports. He added, however, that it is yet to be determined whether or not the positive health benefits outweigh the weight gain. He also recommends additional research to determine the effectiveness of targeted interventions for cutting back on certain foods and drink can help maintain good weight.