Cited by 90Obesity, Physical Activity, DietNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorHealth and Lifestyle Studies

The effect of the Thanksgiving Holiday on weight gain

Open access
Hull, Holly R, Radley, Duncan, Dinger, Mary K, Fields, David A·2006·Nutrition Journal

Abstract

Background: More people than ever are considered obese and the resulting health problems are evident. These facts highlight the need for identification of critical time periods for weight gain. Therefore the purpose was to assess potential changes that occur in body weight during the Thanksgiving holiday break in college students. Methods: 94 college students (23.0 ± 4.6 yrs, 72.1 ± 14.0 kg, 172.6 ± 9.3 cm, 24.0 ± 3.9 kg/m 2) reported to the human body composition laboratory at the University of Oklahoma following a 6-hour fast with testing occurring prior to, and immediately following the Thanksgiving holiday break (13 ± 3 days). Body weight (BW) was assessed using a balance beam scale while participants were dressed in minimal clothing. Paired t-tests were used to assess changes in BW pre and post Thanksgiving holiday with additional analysis by gender, body mass index (BMI), and class standing (i.e. undergraduate vs. graduate). Results: Overall, a significant (P < 0.05) increase in BW was found between pre (72.1 kg) and post (72.6 kg) Thanksgiving holiday. When stratified by gender and class standing a significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight was observed between the pre and post Thanksgiving holiday in males (0.6 kg), females (0.4 kg) and graduate students (0.8 kg). When participants were classified by BMI as normal or as overweight/obese, a significant 1.0 kg BW gain was found (P < 0.05) in the overweight/obese (≥25 kg/m 2) group compared to a non significant 0.2 kg gain in the normal group (<25 kg/m 2). Conclusion: These data indicate that participants in our study gained a significant amount of BW (0.5 kg) during the Thanksgiving holiday. While an increase in BW of half a kilogram may not be cause for alarm, the increase could have potential long-term health consequences if participants retained this weight gain throughout the college year. Additionally, because the overweight/obese participants gained the greatest amount of BW, this group may be at increased risk for weight gain and further obesity development during the holiday season.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In 94 University of Oklahoma college students, body weight increased significantly by 0.5 kg over the Thanksgiving holiday break (mean 13 ± 3 days). Greater gains occurred in graduate students (0.8 kg) and overweight/obese participants (1.0 kg), while normal-BMI participants did not significantly gain.

Key findings

  • Overall body weight increased significantly from 72.1 kg pre-Thanksgiving to 72.6 kg post-Thanksgiving (Δ 0.5 ± 1.5 kg; P < 0.05).
  • Males gained 0.6 kg (80.2 to 80.8 kg; P < 0.05), females gained 0.4 kg (65.0 to 65.4 kg; P < 0.05), and graduate students gained 0.8 kg (76.3 to 77.1 kg; P < 0.05); undergraduates gained 0.4 kg (70.3 to 70.7 kg; P = 0.07).
  • Overweight/obese participants (BMI ≥25 kg/m²) gained 1.0 kg (85.2 to 86.2 kg; P < 0.05), whereas normal-BMI participants (<25 kg/m²) gained a non-significant 0.2 kg (64.7 to 64.9 kg; P = 0.27).
  • Waist circumference declined significantly for the group (−1.14 ± 3.5 cm; P < 0.05) and several subgroups; baseline BMI was correlated with weight change in females (r = 0.42, P < 0.01) but not males (r = −0.03, P = 0.43).

Methods

  • 94 college students (44 male, 50 female; age 23.0 ± 4.6 years; BMI 24.0 ± 3.9 kg/m²) completed both pre- and post-Thanksgiving visits; 100 attended the pre-visit and 94 returned.
  • Body weight was measured with a Detecto Manual Physician scale in light clothing after a 6-hour fast; visits were separated by a mean of 13 ± 3 days (range 5–17 days).
  • Paired t-tests assessed body weight changes overall and by gender, class standing, and BMI; Pearson correlations assessed relationships with baseline BMI and weight change; significance set at P ≤ 0.05.

Limitations

  • Stated in the paper: volunteer convenience sampling may have introduced self-selection bias; participants knew the study aim, which may have altered behavior and masked true weight changes; no information was available on weight changes before or after the Thanksgiving period.
  • Evident from the text: the observational window was short and did not measure dietary intake or physical activity, so mechanisms for weight gain were not assessed; the sample was predominantly Caucasian (75%) and from one university, limiting generalizability.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1186/1475-2891-5-29

Cites

25 of 25 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 28 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    In female participants, baseline BMI was significantly correlated with weight change between visits (r = 0.42, P < 0.01).

    “In females, a significant correlation (r = 0.42; P < 0.01) was found between baseline BMI and weight change between visits”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In female participants, body weight increased significantly from pre-Thanksgiving (65.0 kg) to post-Thanksgiving (65.4 kg), a mean gain of 0.4 kg (P < 0.05).

    “When stratified by gender and class standing a significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight was observed between the pre and post Thanksgiving holiday in males (0.6 kg), females (0.4 kg) and graduate students (0.8 kg).”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “and female (65.0 kg vs. 65.4 kg; P < 0.05)”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “Females (N = 50) | 65.0 ± 11.1 | 65.4 ± 11.6* | 0.4 ± 1.0”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In graduate students, body weight increased significantly from pre-Thanksgiving (76.3 kg) to post-Thanksgiving (77.1 kg), a mean gain of 0.8 kg (P < 0.05).

    “When stratified by gender and class standing a significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight was observed between the pre and post Thanksgiving holiday in males (0.6 kg), females (0.4 kg) and graduate students (0.8 kg).”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “graduate students increased body weight between visits (76.3 kg vs. 77.1 kg; P < 0.05)”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “Graduates (N = 28) | 76.3 ± 14.8 | 77.1 ± 15.0* | 0.8 ± 0.8”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    There was no significant correlation between baseline body weight and change in body weight between pre- and post-Thanksgiving visits (r = 0.17, P = 0.11).

    “Correlations were calculated to assess the impact of body weight (r = 0.17, P = 0.11) and BMI (r = 0.15, P = 0.16) from the pre-Thanksgiving visit on changes in body weight. No significant correlations were found (Figure 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In male participants, body weight increased significantly from pre-Thanksgiving (80.2 kg) to post-Thanksgiving (80.8 kg), a mean gain of 0.6 kg (P < 0.05).

    “When stratified by gender and class standing a significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight was observed between the pre and post Thanksgiving holiday in males (0.6 kg), females (0.4 kg) and graduate students (0.8 kg).”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “when the group was classified as male (80.2 kg vs. 80.8 kg; P < 0.05)”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “Males (N = 44) | 80.2 ± 12.5 | 80.8 ± 12.7* | 0.6 ± 1.9”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 12
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 9
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In undergraduate students, there was no significant increase in body weight from pre-Thanksgiving (70.3 kg) to post-Thanksgiving (70.7 kg), with a mean gain of 0.4 kg (P = 0.07).

    “while no significant increase was observed for undergraduates (70.3 kg vs. 70.7 kg; P = 0.07).”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “Undergraduates (N = 66) | 70.3 ± 13.4 | 70.7 ± 13.7 | 0.4 ± 1.7”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In normal BMI participants (<25 kg/m2), there was no significant increase in body weight from pre-Thanksgiving (64.7 kg) to post-Thanksgiving (64.9 kg), with a mean gain of 0.2 kg (P = 0.27).

    “No significant increase in body weight was found in normal BMI participants (64.7 kg vs. 64.9 kg; P = 0.27)”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “compared to a non significant 0.2 kg gain in the normal group (<25 kg/m2).”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “Normal BMI (N = 60) | 64.7 ± 9.3 | 64.9 ± 9.4 | 0.2 ± 1.6”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the 94 college students who completed both visits, body weight increased significantly from pre-Thanksgiving (72.1 kg) to post-Thanksgiving (72.6 kg), a mean gain of 0.5 kg (P < 0.05).

    “Overall, a significant (P < 0.05) increase in BW was found between pre (72.1 kg) and post (72.6 kg) Thanksgiving holiday.”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “There was a significant increase in body weight (BW) between visit 1 (pre-Thanksgiving) and visit 2 (post-Thanksgiving) for the entire group (72.1 kg vs. 72.6 kg; P < 0.05)”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “In conclusion, we found over the Thanksgiving holiday an increase of 0.5 kg in body weight.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Yanovski et al. studied 195 adults and found that the holiday season resulted in a significant increase in body weight of 0.37 kg (P < 0.001).

    “Yanovski et al. studied 195 adults and found the holiday season resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) increase in body weight of 0.37 kg [4].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] Yanovski JA, Yanovski SZ, Sovik KN, Nguyen TT, O'Neil PM, Sebring NG: A prospective study of holiday weight gain. N Engl J Med. 2000, 342 (12): 861-867. 10.1056/NEJM200003233421206. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Recent studies have reported weight gains during the freshman year of college of 1.3 kg (Hoffman et al. 2006), 2.5 kg (Racette et al. 2005) and 1.1 kg (Morrow et al. 2006).

    “recent studies have still reported weight gains of 1.3 kg (Hoffman et al. 2006), 2.5 kg (Racette et al. 2005) and 1.1 kg (Morrow et al. 2006) [7-9].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [7] Hoffman DJ, Policastro P, Quick V, Lee SK: Changes in body weight and fat mass of men and women in the first year of college: A study of the "freshman 15". J Am Coll Health. 2006, 55 (1): 41-45. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [8] Racette SB, Deusinger SS, Strube MJ, Highstein GR, Deusinger RH: Weight changes, exercise, and dietary patterns during freshman and sophomore years of college. J Am Coll Health. 2005, 53 (6): 245-251. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [9] Morrow ML, Heesch KC, Dinger MK, Hull HR, Kneehans AW, Fields DA: Freshman 15: fact or fiction?. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2006, 14 (8): 1438-1443. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Reid and Hackett studied 26 participants over the Christmas holiday and found an increase in body weight of 0.93 kg, though results may be confounded by small sample size and illness.

    “Reid and Hackett studied 26 participants over the Christmas holiday and found an increase in body weight of 0.93 kg though the results may be confounded by a small number of participants and five participants reporting being ill during data collection [10].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [10] Reid R, Hackett AF: Changes in nutritional status in adults over Christmas 1998. J Hum Nutr Diet. 1999, 12 (6): 513-516. 10.1046/j.1365-277x.1999.00205.x. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Few research studies have examined weight changes during the holiday season, and only one research study has been performed in college students.

    “Although a great deal of publicity is given to holiday weight gain, few research studies have been done to examine weight changes during the holiday season and only one research study was performed in college students [4,10-12].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [4] Yanovski JA, Yanovski SZ, Sovik KN, Nguyen TT, O'Neil PM, Sebring NG: A prospective study of holiday weight gain. N Engl J Med. 2000, 342 (12): 861-867. 10.1056/NEJM200003233421206. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [10] Reid R, Hackett AF: Changes in nutritional status in adults over Christmas 1998. J Hum Nutr Diet. 1999, 12 (6): 513-516. 10.1046/j.1365-277x.1999.00205.x. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [11] Klesges RC, Klem ML, Bene CR: Effects of dietary restraint, obesity, and gender on holiday eating behavior and weight gain. J Abnorm Psychol. 1989, 98 (4): 499-503. 10.1037/0021-843X.98.4.499. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [12] Baker RC, Kirschenbaum DS: Weight control during the holidays: highly consistent self-monitoring as a potentially useful coping mechanism. Health Psychol. 1998, 17 (4): 367-370. 10.1037/0278-6133.17.4.367. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The increased risk of weight gain during the holiday season is postulated to be caused by stress associated with the holidays, increased caloric intake, and/or a decline in physical activity.

    “This is postulated to be caused by stress associated with the holidays, increased caloric intake, and/or a decline in physical activity [6].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] Ma Y, Olendzki BC, Li W, Hafner AR, Chiriboga D, Hebert JR, Campbell M, Sarnie M, Ockene IS: Seasonal variation in food intake, physical activity, and body weight in a predominantly overweight population. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006, 60 (4): 519-528. 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602346. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Boutelle (1999) reported that both intervention and comparison groups found it difficult to effectively manage their weight during the Christmas to New Year holiday period.

    “Further, Boutelle (1999) reported that both their intervention and comparison groups found it difficult to effectively manage their weight during the Christmas to New Year holiday period [5].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [5] Boutelle KN, Kirschenbaum DS, Baker RC, Mitchell ME: How can obese weight controllers minimize weight gain during the high risk holiday season? By self-monitoring very consistently. Health Psychol. 1999, 18 (4): 364-368. 10.1037/0278-6133.18.4.364. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The use of a volunteer convenience sample may have introduced self-selection bias, such that subjects had a personal interest in monitoring their weight.

    “First, since participants were derived from a volunteer convenience sample a self-selection bias may have occurred such that subjects had a personal interest in monitoring their weight.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Participants' awareness of the study's primary aim may have led them to alter their behavior, potentially masking true changes in body weight during the measurement period.

    “Second, participants were aware the primary aim of the study was to investigate changes in body weight during the Thanksgiving period. This may have resulted in participants intentionally or unintentionally altering their patterns of behavior, consequently masking true changes in their body weight during the measurement period.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Factors prevalent during holiday celebrations that encourage over consumption include longer eating durations, easy access to food, eating in the presence of others, and increased portion sizes.

    “A number of factors particularly prevalent during the holiday celebrations that encourage over consumption include: longer eating durations, easy access to food, eating in the presence of others and increase portion sizes [13].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Wansink B: Environmental factors that increase the food intake and consumption volume of unknowing consumers. Annu Rev Nutr. 2004, 24: 455-479. 10.1146/annurev.nutr.24.012003.132140. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A study examining the Thanksgiving weekend in college students found significantly increased dietary intake over the holiday, with males consuming more calories than females and non-obese consuming more calories than obese.

    “They found significantly increased dietary intake over the Thanksgiving holiday with males consuming more calories than females and non obese consumed more calories than obese.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [11] Klesges RC, Klem ML, Bene CR: Effects of dietary restraint, obesity, and gender on holiday eating behavior and weight gain. J Abnorm Psychol. 1989, 98 (4): 499-503. 10.1037/0021-843X.98.4.499. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    No information is available on changes in body weight during the periods preceding or following the Thanksgiving holiday.

    “Third, no information is available on changes in body weight during the periods preceding or following the Thanksgiving holiday.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Drapkin et al. (1995) reported that out of four hypothetical high risk situations, participants perceived a family mealtime celebration as the time they would be most likely to overeat.

    “Given these factors it is hardly surprising that Drapkin et al. (1995) reported than out of four hypothetical high risk situations participants perceived a family mealtime celebration (which includes a holiday meal) as the time they would be most likely to overeat [17].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17] Drapkin RG, Wing RR, Shiffman S: Responses to hypothetical high risk situations: do they predict weight loss in a behavioral treatment program or the context of dietary lapses?. Health Psychol. 1995, 14 (5): 427-434. 10.1037/0278-6133.14.5.427. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The holiday season is suggested to present an increased risk of weight gain and obesity development.

    “The holiday season is a time of the year suggested to present an increased risk of weight gain and obesity development [5].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [5] Boutelle KN, Kirschenbaum DS, Baker RC, Mitchell ME: How can obese weight controllers minimize weight gain during the high risk holiday season? By self-monitoring very consistently. Health Psychol. 1999, 18 (4): 364-368. 10.1037/0278-6133.18.4.364. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In young adults, gradual yearly weight gain from a small prolonged energy imbalance has been estimated at approximately 0.2 to 0.8 kg per year.

    “In young adults this has been estimated at approximately 0.2 to 0.8 kg per year [4].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] Yanovski JA, Yanovski SZ, Sovik KN, Nguyen TT, O'Neil PM, Sebring NG: A prospective study of holiday weight gain. N Engl J Med. 2000, 342 (12): 861-867. 10.1056/NEJM200003233421206. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Graduate students or those who are already overweight/obese are at increased risk of greater weight gain.

    “Additionally, it seems as though graduate students or those who are already overweight/obese are at increased risk of greater weight gain.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The 0.5 kg increase in body weight over the Thanksgiving holiday is troublesome considering the short time frame, because previous research suggests weight gained during holiday periods is retained.

    “Although this may seem like a trivial amount of weight, considering the short time frame, this is troublesome since previous research suggests weight gained during holiday periods is retained (Yanovski 2000).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Yanovski 2000 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Because overweight/obese participants gained the greatest amount of body weight, this group may be at increased risk for weight gain and further obesity development during the holiday season.

    “Additionally, because the overweight/obese participants gained the greatest amount of BW, this group may be at increased risk for weight gain and further obesity development during the holiday season.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
20 of 20
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No study has examined weight changes over the Thanksgiving holiday in college students.

    “To our knowledge, no study has examined weight changes over the Thanksgiving holiday in college students.”
1 of 1

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Claim of no prior Thanksgiving weight-change study conflicts with discussion

    Minor

    The background says no study had examined Thanksgiving weight changes in college students, but the discussion describes a prior study examining the effect of Thanksgiving weekend on their body weight.

  • Baseline weights differ between Tables 1 and 3

    Minor

    Table 1 gives male and female weights as 80.3 and 64.9 kg, respectively, whereas Table 3 gives their pre-Thanksgiving weights as 80.2 and 65.0 kg. Both tables describe the same 44 men and 50 women.

2 of 2

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Authors
Hull, H. R., Radley, D., Dinger, M. K., & Fields, D. A.
Affiliations
  • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (US)
  • Leeds Beckett University (GB)
  • University of Oklahoma (US)
Corresponding author
Fields, David A
Venue
Nutrition Journal
Published
2006-11-21
Volume
5
Issue
1
Pages
29-29
ISSN
1475-2891 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2115355548
Cited by
90
References
21
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
FWCI
2.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nutrition Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Lifestyle Studies
Keywords
thanksgiving, holiday weight gain, body weight, university students, obesity, overweight, body mass index, gender differences, graduate students, seasonal weight gain
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Anthropometry, Female, Holidays, Humans, Male, Obesity, Students, Weight Gain, Body Mass Index

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