Surprise, surprise: The stress of the holiday season prompts women to eat more and possibly gain weight, according to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association

Nearly half of all women in the United States feel the stress, a condition that contributes to rising levels of comfort eating, drinking and other coping mechanisms that can lead to weight gain, according to an Associated Press report.

Forty-one percent of women in the survey agreed that they eat for comfort during the holidays, compared with 31 percent during the rest of the year. Among men, 25 percent report holiday-season comfort eating, compared with 19 percent during the year, according to the survey.

Experts recommend that to cope with the stress, you opt for less elaborate festivities and say no to that serving of delicious roast beef, lasagna, chocolate or chilled glass of white wine.

And don't forget to exercise. It decreases stress and improves your mood.

For more holiday eating tips, check out my blog item on controlling your holiday intake.

Good luck and happy holidays!

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com