Researchers at the UGA have discovered one simple action can help people avoid gaining weight during the holidays. Scientists say weighing yourself everyday might be enough to keep the pounds off. Professor Jamie Cooper led the study.
“We found that daily self-weighing with graphical feedback where people could see their weight trajectory and see their target weight line was effective at preventing holiday weight gain” according to Cooper.
An added benefit some of the study’s participants, those that were overweight and obese actually loss weight, though the instructions were to try to maintain their baseline weight.
“This was not a weight loss intervention. So the fact that they were able to lose weight without entering into a weight loss program I think is very encouraging for people who are looking to try to maintain weight or possibly even lose weight.”
Cooper says preventing holiday weight gain may help stop annual weight gain and that could affect overweight and obesity levels in the nation.
“While the average adult in the U.S. gains about 1 to 2 pounds per year. And that doesn't sound like very much but over a period of 10, 20, 30 years it can be a substantial amount of weight gain.”
She says holiday weight gain makes up a substantial portion of those extra pounds.
“And the holiday season can actually contribute half to three quarters of that annual weight gain.”
Participants in the control group were given no instructions. A total of 111 adults between the ages of 18 and 65 participated in the study.
Researchers say the intervention is effective, largely because of its simplicity and adaptability.