Turns out winter weight gain is a real thing | CBC Life (2024)

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Turns out winter weight gain is a real thing | CBC Life? ›

Often the term "winter weight

A little more to eat coupled with a little less activity can add up to gradual weight gain that, come spring, can be a bigger problem to resolve. And, if you don't manage to shift it in the warmer months, gaining a couple of pounds every winter can add up over time and have a big impact on our health.

Researchers found that many gained weight as the weather turned cooler — an average of 0.4 pounds — and tacked on an additional 0.8 pounds during the holiday season, for a total average weight gain of 1.2 pounds.

As the days get colder and darker, we may store more fat as insulation, potentially because it was more difficult for our ancestors to find food during the winter, says Light.

Ultimately, winter can make you gain weight as a result of the cold weather, the tendency to overindulge in your favourite comfort food and reduces exercise levels. But there are still plenty of ways you can keep active and follow a healthy diet without braving the cold outside.

For the rest of us, winter weight gain is largely the result of reduced exercise and increased eating, Cheskin says. "Research studies show that the 'hibernation theory' of winter overeating does not hold up for the vast majority of us who do not have seasonal affective disorder."

People who regularly eat and drink more calories than they burn each day are more likely to gain extra weight, including belly fat. Getting older also makes a difference. People lose muscle as they age. And the problem is worse for those who are not physically active.

Various seasonal holidays may encourage overeating, sedentary behavior, and consumption of calorie-rich foods. In fact, between mid-November and mid-January, adults in Western societies gain an average of 1 pound (0.5 kg) ( 1 ).

In contrast, studies relying on self-reports have found that healthy individuals believe their weight increases on average by more than 5 pounds (2.27 kg) in the fall or winter. In the US, the winter holiday season is generally considered to begin with Thanksgiving and end after New Year's Day.

Shorter days, longer nights, cold weather, decreased exercise and changes in sleep habits all contribute to winter weight gain.

Is it difficult to lose weight in winter? ›

Though the start of the year is an excellent time to reflect on lifestyle habits and make healthy changes, winter is not the best season to expect massive weight loss. That's because our bodies hold onto calorie reserves and crave calorie-rich foods when the temperature drops.

The average metabolic response during cold exposure, measured as the increase in kJ/min over time, was significantly higher in winter (11.5%) compared to summer (7.0%, P < . 05). The temperature response was comparable in both seasons.

Changes in total body weight vary for men and women. Men often gain weight until about age 55, and then begin to lose weight later in life. This may be related to a drop in the male sex hormone testosterone. Women usually gain weight until age 65, and then begin to lose weight.

Our metabolism does not slow down during the winter months, which makes sense since humans don't hibernate! In fact, it may actually speed up in order to help us keep our bodies warm. Since we generally spend less time outdoors during winter, we do tend to move less overall during these months.

Though you burn more calories in the heat, its role in weight loss is minimal and decreases as you acclimate to exercising in warmer climates.

Exposure to cold activates brown fat, producing heat to help the body maintain its temperature and burn calories, especially those from fat. That makes it an ideal way for guys to improve cardiometabolic health — preventable conditions like heart attack, diabetes and liver disease, for instance. Sorry, ladies.

The swing from summer to fall and soon, winter, can make some people vulnerable to gaining weight, experts say. The colder months can lead to people getting less physical activity and instead staying inside with high-sugar comfort foods.

Hormonal changes that cause fluid retention when it's hot can lead to bloating and modest weight gain. For some people, extreme heat may even contribute to a slightly slower metabolism.