Health & Medicine

New Research Says Weekend Binging does not Increase Weight

Vanishree Bhatt
First Posted: Feb 07, 2014 08:42 AM EST

A recent study says that weight gained by heavy eating and drinking during weekends is lost during weekdays.

A team of researchers from Cornell University, VTT Technical Research Center of Finland and Tampere University of technology, studied the impact the seven day eating cycle has on weight.  Eighty participants between ages 25 and 62 years were divided in three groups according to their relative weight categories ( during the whole week)- weight losers (who lost more than 3percent), weight gainers ( who gained more than 1 percent ) and maintainers (who were between -3percent and 1 percent). They were asked to weigh themselves after waking up before breakfast to observe whether weight fluctuation is dependent on the days of the week, it was mandatory to check the weight for seven days running for the study. The follow up time was 15 days minimum and 330 days maximum.

It was found that a majority of participants,59 percent, experienced weight gain during the weekends and the weight decreased in 60 percent during the weekdays reaching its lowest point on Fridays. Weight losers, the ones who lost more weight after the weekend,  had the strongest compensation after the weekends and the decrease was immediately seen during the weekdays

Brian Wansink, the study author and researcher at Cornell University said, "Weight loss occurs during the weekdays. It's less important what happens during the weekends."

He also added that if American and Finnish societies had six working days in a week instead of five, then the weight loss and gain pattern would adjust to a new one day weekend.

The study suggests that humans have weight loss cycles similar to the sleep cycle and more weight loss during the weekdays results in better health. People have enough time to go out during the weekends and hence, binge on fatty foods and exotic cuisine. Indulging during the weekends does no harm the body but successful weight loss is seen only in those who practice healthy eating during the weekdays.

 Wansink said, "Don't get discouraged after the weekend. Weekdays are when you get stuff done, and it's time to get back to business." reports HuffPost.

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