Seasonal variation in food intake, physical activity, and body weight in a predominantly overweight population
Authors
Ma, YunshengOlendzki, Barbara C.
Li, Wenjun
Hafner, Andrea R.
Chiriboga, David E.
Hebert, James R.
Campbell, MaryJane
Sarnie, M.
Ockene, Ira S.
UMass Chan Affiliations
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular MedicineDepartment of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine
Document Type
Journal ArticlePublication Date
2006-04-13Keywords
AdultAged
Body Weight
*Diet
Exercise
Female
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Massachusetts
Middle Aged
Obesity
Regression Analysis
*Seasons
Sex Distribution
Time Factors
Behavioral Disciplines and Activities
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms
Community Health and Preventive Medicine
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition
Preventive Medicine
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe seasonal variation in food intake, physical activity, and body weight in a predominantly overweight population. DESIGN: A longitudinal observational study. SETTING: Most of the study participants were recruited from a health maintenance organization (HMO) in central Massachusetts, USA. Additional individuals of Hispanic descent were recruited from outside of the HMO population to increase the ethnic diversity of this sample. SUBJECTS: Data from 593 participants, aged 20-70, were used for this investigation. Each participant was followed quarterly (five sampling points: baseline and four consecutive quarters) for 1-year period. Body weight measurements and three 24-h dietary and physical activity recalls were obtained on randomly selected days (including 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day) per quarter. Sinusoidal regression models were used to estimate peak-to-trough amplitude and phase of the peaks. RESULTS: Daily caloric intake was higher by 86 kcal/day during the fall compared to the spring. Percentage of calories from carbohydrate, fat and saturated fat showed slight seasonal variation, with a peak in the spring for carbohydrate and in the fall for total fat and saturated fat intake. The lowest physical activity level was observed in the winter and the highest in the spring. Body weight varied by about 1/2 kg throughout the year, with a peak in the winter (P<0.001 winter versus summer). Greater seasonal variation was observed in subjects who were male, middle aged, nonwhite, and less educated. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is seasonal variation in diet, physical activity and body weight, the magnitude of the change is generally small in this population. SPONSORSHIP: US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Source
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006 Apr;60(4):519-28. Link to article on publisher's siteDOI
10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602346Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/44719PubMed ID
16340952Related Resources
Link to article in PubMedae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602346