Average holiday consumption nets a one pound weight gain

Just how much weight does the average American gain during the holidays? <br><br>Researchers say one pound.<br><br>Researchers studied 200 Maryland residents who ate what they wanted during the holidays.

Wednesday, November 17th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Just how much weight does the average American gain during the holidays?

Researchers say one pound.

Researchers studied 200 Maryland residents who ate what they wanted during the holidays. The average increase for men and women was just under a pound -- not the five pounds that it was typically believed people gained.

The researchers estimate a five pound weight gain would require consuming an extra 35-hundred calories per week. That translates
into an extra case of beer each week.

Patrick O'Neil -- director of the Weight Management Center at the Medical University of South Carolina -- gives this advice for the holidays -- "eat, drink and be wary."

The study findings were presented today at a South Carolina meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity.