Seasonal Patterns of Stress, Diet and Physical Activity - Life in All Seasons (LENAS)

The purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of factors affecting American's energy balance related behaviors - in this case, food intake and activity. In the present study we will describe the relative contributions of individual psychology and physiology (including metabolism, mood, and sleep habits) and external (season, stressors) contributions to changes in adiposity over a year in free-living individuals. This study will illuminate season's role in changes in energy balance related behaviors and body weight and composition. Ultimately, this information will be used to identify factors affecting food consumption and individual activity during seasonal periods to help to segment interventions for obesity prevention in mid-life women.