COVID-19 confinement impact on weight gain and physical activity in the older adult population: Data from the LOST in Lombardia study

Abstract

Background & Aims COVID-19 containment measures significantly impacted lifestyle of the general population, including physical activity. Although the older adults are particularly susceptible to the potential consequences of sedentary lifestyle and inactivity, few studies investigated pandemic effects in this segment of the population. We aimed to evaluate COVID-19 pandemic effects on weight gain and physical activity in the Italian older adults, and assess the impact of possible changes in physical activity on mental health wellbeing. Methods In November 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on a representative sample of 4,400 older adults (aged 65 or more) from the Lombardy region, Northern Italy. Changes in body mass index (BMI) and physical activity were assessed, compared to the previous year. Using unconditional multiple logistic models, we estimated the odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of a decrease in physical activity during COVID-19 pandemic and we evaluated if decreased physical activity was a determinant of a worsening in psychological wellbeing. Results Neither weight gain nor increase in obesity prevalence occurred during the pandemic. Mean time spent in physical activity significantly decreased, with 43.8% of participants reporting a decrease of one hour/week or more during COVID-19 pandemic. A decreased physical activity was determinant of a worsening of selected mental health outcomes, such as: sleep quality (OR=2.45; 95% CI: 1.91-3.15) and quantity (OR=1.54; 95% CI: 1.18-2.02), anxiety (OR=1.31; 95% CI: 1.14-1.52) and depressive symptoms (OR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.38-1.88). Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, while no major changes in BMI were observed, physical activity significantly declined in the older adults. In this population, the lack of physical activity might have contributed to the observed worsening in mental health. During emergency periods, encouraging physical activity might be effective also to preserve psychological wellbeing.

COVID-19 pandemic impact on people with diabetes: results from a large representative sample of Italian older adults

“…Consistently with general population, during pandemic BMI increased [27] , [37] , physical activity decreased [27] , [38] as sleep hours per night and sleep quality [39] . Psychiatric scales reported a worsening in depressive and anxiety symptoms [16] .…”

“…Within the ‘LOckdown and lifeSTyles in Lombardia’ (LOST in Lombardia) study [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , we investigated COVID-19 impact on physical and mental health outcomes, behavioural risk factors and healthcare services use among older people with diabetes, in comparison with older people not affected by any chronic disease.…”

Cardiorespiratory fitness levels and body mass index of pre-adolescent children and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In over 800 participants between 16 and 70 years old from Jiangsu, China individuals, on average, gained weight after only 2 months of the COVID-19 lockdown, with some individuals gaining almost 11 kgs ( 30 ). In contrast, a study of 4,400 older adults (65 years and older) in Northern Italy did not find a significant change in weight or BMI ( 31 ). In the United States, studies suggest that somewhere between 27.5 and 40% of individuals gained weight ( 32 , 33 ).…”

COVID-19 pandemic impact on mental health in a large representative sample of older adults from the Lombardy region, Italy

“…The present analysis is based on a representative sample of 4400 individuals aged 65 years or more from the Lombardy region. Details on sampling methodology are available elsewhere ( Stival et al, 2022 ).…”