Ho Ho Huff, Ho Ho Puff

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Santa Claus is gearing up for his annual globe-trotting gift delivery mission.

But while jolly St. Nick may be a festive icon, his lifestyle and work environment raise some serious health concerns: Santa, to put it bluntly, is not in the best shape.

“Unfortunately, he seems to carry most of this weight around his middle,” Adam Taylor, director of the Clinical Anatomy Learning Centre at Lancaster University, wrote in the Conversation.

That’s a clear red flag for potential abdominal fat-related risks, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even colorectal cancer.

Taylor went on to explain issues with Santa’s rosy cheeks. While they exude cheer, they could also indicate “rosacea,” a chronic skin condition exacerbated by the cold climate and lifetime exposure to ultraviolet radiation flying in his sleigh.

Adding to the mix is his penchant for holiday spirits left out by well-meaning revelers. Drinking too much not only risks alcohol poisoning but could also leave Father Christmas with alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD).

Flying through the stratosphere also subjects Santa to hypoxia – low oxygen levels – that can impair his cognitive and cardiovascular systems.

“Hypoxia coupled with alcohol is a recipe for a health disaster,” Taylor added.

Finally, Santa’s chimney escapades are in a league of their own. Soot exposure is linked to lung diseases and prolonged smoke inhalation also increases the likelihood of dementia.

And yet, somehow, he gets the job done every year, so maybe Santa’s greatest gift is his resilience.

Still, maybe this holiday season, fans could do him a favor and leave out a water bottle, a healthy snack, and a bottle of sunscreen instead.

After all, we need Santa to stay around.