OBJECTIVE: It is believed that adults' body weight (BW) tends to increase during weekend days, either through the higher ingestion or through the reduction of exercises. We had as objective to verify whether or not the BW increases during weekend days and New Year celebrations. METHODS: We analyzed, retrospectively, data from 53 adults (36 men) with ages ranging from 38 to 81 years (64 ± 10), who attended a supervised exercise program three to six weekly 60-minute sessions, including aerobic exercises, muscular strengthening and flexibility, individually prescribed. Those who missed over than 25% of sessions, more than two consecutive weeks or those who made use of diuretic or other remedies capable to affect the BW were excluded from the study. The BW was recorded before each session. Data from two weeks recorded during the month of November and from two pre and post-New Year celebration sessions were recorded. RESULTS: The BW was stable (average ± standard deviation) 74.6 ± 1.7 vs. 74.6 ± 1.7 kg -, respectively, before and after the weekend days (p = 0.382), while a small but significant increase during the New Year celebrations was observed 74.3 ± 1.7 vs. 74.9 ± 1.7 kg - (p < 0.001). Gains above 1 and 2% of the BW (individual maximum of 3.8%) during the New Year celebrations were observed, respectively, in only nine (16.9%) and six (11.3%) of individuals, with higher absolute variations in the heaviest individuals. DISCUSSION: In adults who attended a supervised exercise program, the impact of the weekend and New Year celebrations on the BW is none or small and probably restricted to a small parcel of the heaviest men. Probably, the healthy lifestyle does not allow an important unbalance between the calorie ingestion and the energy expenditure by physical exercise to occur in the studied circumstances.
Body weight; Supervised exercise; Sarcopenia; Physical exercise; Cardiac rehabilitation
