Behavioral psychology, mental health and epidemiology are useful tools for analyzing changes in obesity patterns across the country. As a rising epidemic in the United States, many people have observed unintentional weight gain in the winter months. You may have also observed yourself losing weight with increasing difficulty during colder seasons. There are several possible contributing factors at work here, which are actively being researched in order to devise more effective obesity prevention and treatment strategies.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
A well-known condition associated with weight gain is seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. As the name implies, this syndrome is characterized by a cyclic pattern of emergence and disappearance of symptoms including depression, anxiety, fatigue, social withdrawal and difficulty concentrating. The cause of this disorder is related to the effect of reduced sunlight on your body's biological clock. Changes in season have also been shown to disrupt proper production of melatonin, an important hormone in sleep and mood regulation, as well as decreased serotonin levels in the brain.
Treatments for SAD
One treatment option is light therapy, which, as you might expect, works by reversing the effects of reduced sunlight on brain chemistry. While this approach is easy and has minimal side effects, the precise mechanism of therapeutic action is unclear. Antidepressant medications are also available in cases of severe SAD.
By treating the depression, the idea is you will have more energy and interest in pursuing physical activities to help you feel better and lose weight. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional about any intervention you would like to take to combat SAD.
Seasonal Behavioral Change
According to a 2011 article from the journal "Obesity Review," there has been a trend of increased indoor winter temperatures in houses across the U.S. and UK. The review concluded that the reduced exposure to seasonal cold in these populations ultimately leads to increases in obesity. By decreasing the production of brown adipose tissue, a specialized type of fat responsible for producing heat to warm the body, researchers believe that more time spent in "thermal comfort zones" during the winter is causally related to obesity.
Patterns of Physical Activity
Another example of behavioral changes during winter has been observed in the amount and pattern of physical activity in women. According to the "Journal of Physical Activity and Health," women participated in physical activity significantly less during winter compared to summer, spring and fall. This article, from Vanderbilt University Department of Medicine, points out an important behavioral change which should be taken into consideration to understand seasonal changes observed in your weight.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD); Mayo Clinic Staff; April 2009
- "Obesity Review"; Could increased time spent in a thermal comfort zone contribute to population increases in obesity?; Johnson F, et al.; Jan. 2011
- "Journal of Physical Activity and Health"; Seasonal changes in amount and pattern of physical activity in women; Buchowski MS, et al.; March 2009
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