Incidence and Associated Factors of Weight Gain During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction and AimsThe behavioral changes that arose from quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the weight of people. This study aims to investigate the incidence and predictors of weight gain during the quarantine period.MethodsAn online survey was performed five months after the social distance measures implementation. Participants recorded their current and usual weight before lockdown. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed.ResultsData on 1334 participants were evaluated (33.6y, 79.8% females), and 58.8% have gained weight (3.0 kg; 0.1 to 30.0 kg). Predictors of weight gain were increased food intake (OR = 5.40); snacking (OR = 2.86); fast food (OR = 1.11); canned products (OR = 1.08); and in physical activity (OR = 0.99) concerning the period before the pandemic; also time spent at work, including household chores (OR = 1.58); evening snack (OR = 1.54); higher frequency of alcoholic beverage intake (OR = 1.59) and dose of alcoholic beverage (OR = 1.11); uncontrolled eating (OR = 1.01), and vegetable intake (OR = 0.92) during the quarantine and physical activity before pandemic period (OR = 0.99).ConclusionMost participants have gained weight during the pandemic because of working changes, lifestyle, eating habits changes, and uncontrolled eating behavior. These results can be useful to encourage changes during future quarantine periods to prevent weight gain.

Sex disparities in food consumption patterns, dietary diversity and determinants of self-reported body weight changes before and amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 10 Arab countries

“…In the same manner, El Zoghbi et al (22) reported that the number of overweight and obese students increased by 5.2% in a study conducted on 174 Lebanese students before and at the end of the COVID-19 lockdown. Consistent findings were also reported in Srilanka (23), Brazil (24), Spain (25), and Bangladesh (26) where participants gained weight during the pandemic period. These findings are distressing because increasing adiposity had been associated with higher odds for COVID-19-related mortality in previous trials.…”

Effect of a cardiac telerehabilitation program during COVID-19 associated social isolation

“…Evidence has demonstrated that the period of COVID-19-associated social isolation was responsible for body mass gain in the general population. Daniel et al 33 evaluated the eating behavior of 1334 participants during five months of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, the authors found a 58.8% increase in body mass (approximately 3 kg), which was mainly associated with increased consumption of snacking, fast food, canned products, and sedentary behavior.…”

Intuitive eating has reduced the chances of being overweight in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The state of depression or the worsening of this condition are precursors to weight gain ( 48 ). Daniel and collaborators ( 49 ) revealed in their study that an increase in uncontrolled eating behavior was a predictor of weight gain during the pandemic. Thus, these behaviors are relevant influences on food choices and, consequently, on BMI ( 50 ).…”