Heres how the holidays will impact Americans health and how much weight they expect to gain

A quarter of Americans are still carrying weight they gained during last year’s holiday season, according to new research.The survey of 2,000 Americans revealed that 24% are still carrying pounds from the end of 2023; on average, this is almost 10 pounds.They’re also expecting to gain weight as we approach the end of 2024: respondents think they’ll gain an average of six additional pounds before changing their calendars to January.Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Herbalife for their seventh annual end of year survey, called “Holiday Healthy Habits,” the results looked at Americans’ healthy habits in 2024 and how respondents are moving away from those as the holidays approach.Half of Americans surveyed said they’re less healthy than usual as the end of the year approaches — and 43% said they use the end of the year as an excuse to postpone eating healthily.This varied by generation, too: 64% of Gen Z respondents admitted to using this as an excuse, compared to 43% of Gen Xers surveyed.Regardless of age, the results also found that 53% have broken a diet at the end of the year — with 36% admitting it was due to the temptation of holiday food.Many respondents are pausing their healthy habits so they can best enjoy the holiday season.Sixty-two percent of respondents said the end of the year is more enjoyable if they’re not worried about healthy habits and their weight.Again, younger respondents were more likely to agree — 72% of Gen Zers, compared to 61% of Gen Xers.They were also more likely to give into temptation this year: overall, 37% of respondents were more likely to give in this year than other years, and this increased for younger generations — 52% of Gen Z, versus only 38% of Gen X.When asked why they’re more likely to give into temptation this year, respondents said that as they’ve gotten older, they’re more willing to give in and just enjoy the moment (40%) — and they’re more grateful to be with family and friends,...