This is how much weight the Swedes gain during Christmas

38 percent of Swedes gain weight during Christmas.
Together, this amounts to 5 million kilos, according to SIFO. The numbers are the same every year, so my advice is to plan well, says Erik Hemmingsson, at the Obesity Center at Karolinska Institutet.

According to a survey conducted by SIFO, 38 percent claim that they gain weight during Christmas. 67 percent of Swedes put on at least 2 kilos during the Christmas holiday – or more. That will be 5 million Swedish kilos together. And the numbers are relatively stable from year to year.

The Christmas weekend is the biggest gluttonous holiday of the whole year. Then it is clear that different people go up by different amounts. While there are relatively stable people who do not do it at all, some can gain 0.5 kilos on average and others who already have weight problems 4-5 kilos on average, says Erik Hemmingsson, obesity researcher at the Obesity Center at Karolinska Institutet.

More counter forces than usual

So why does it look like that? Christmas is a recurring holiday, so one would think that we should “learn” from previous years. No, according to Erik Hemmingsson, on the contrary, a recurring pattern can be discerned. In part, he believes that it is due to our ancient farming tradition of stocking up in the pantries. For one thing, autumn and winter are the darkest period of the year, which increases the production of the fatigue hormone melatonin.

If you’ve worked hard on the tiles to get them ready before the holidays and have also been excited about clappers to be bought, crackers to be cooked and relatives to come, it’s no wonder that you get on your knees when Christmas comes. I am a parent of small children myself, so I know.

“It becomes a vicious circle”

Another factor is that at this time of year we sit inside more. And if the body is tired, it triggers the stress-regulating hormone cortisone, which in turn triggers the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin.

It all becomes a vicious circle: Once the Christmas presents are opened, many people breathe a sigh of relief, while all the good food is there. And then there is easily a gap between our logical and our more emotionally driven way of thinking. So even if we are aware of the consequences, the plans to maintain the weight may not be worth much in that situation, it is more the “power of habit” that rules, says Hemmingsson.

Christmas worst of all holidays

Even on the weight loss site NordIQ Life, members seem to follow the same pattern. If you look at the previous year, you can see that the trend of lower weight loss results coincides with the year’s holidays, to increase significantly again after Christmas, New Year, Easter and Midsummer. The lowest weight loss results were measured on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The highest result was measured just two weeks later.

Classic. During Easter, however, we tend to eat more sweets and at midsummer we want to eat a little lighter and at the same time spend more time outside. Then the alcohol is probably more the problem, so I would still like to say that Christmas definitely comes first – from a pure weight gain point of view.

The obesity researcher’s best tip: “Think ahead”

So what does Erik Hemmingsson think one should do before the upcoming big weekend?

Be sure to think ahead and plan well, although you should be well aware that even the best plans can go awry. My suggestion is also to lower the requirements a little. The Christmas table doesn’t have to be sumptuous and the Christmas presents huge. Instead, try to see Christmas as a time for recovery, many of us have been working constantly since last summer. If you’ve been struggling with your weight for 11 months, it’s clear that you should enjoy yourself, but think a little beforehand so that you don’t fall into the usual, classic pitfalls.

Erik Hemmingsson’s best weight tips for Christmas

1. Set up a good plan – Then you at least have a clear goal.
2. Lower the performance requirements – Everything doesn’t have to be perfect, it’s more important that you feel good.
3. Decide to have a stress-free Christmas – If you avoid the stress, you will more easily maintain the balance.
4. Don’t let Christmas revolve around food – Spend time with loved ones in a different way instead, for example by going out and taking advantage of the little light we get instead.
5. Take it easy on the alcohol – It can make anyone go out of control.