Weight and Winter

[Lost_in_life]

Hi I'm new to this community. What I was wondering is whether or not there is any evidence (scientific OR anecdotal) of winter causing weight gain or weight retention? I know that there is tendency to eat more when it gets colder. What I'm curious about is whether or not there is a biochemical mechanism that causes the body to gain or retain weight when it gets colder?

Aside from being hungrier than normal when it gets colder, my body seems to be "holding on" to weight more so than usual. After a good bit of "holiday weight gain" I've almost gotten back into my routine of exercise and (better) diet; but, I'm not losing weight as much as I was several weeks ago when it was warmer.