Nutritional and health behaviour predictors of the weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the body weight, nutritional habits, physical activity, and food consumption of adults living in Turkey and evaluate the effects of changes in these health behaviours on body weight. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with an online questionnaire. Data were collected through social media platforms using the snowball sampling method. A self-reported questionnaire included socio-demographic information, anthropometric data, dietary habits, food consumption, and lifestyle changes. In this study, 4181 people were included. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the variables associated with the increase in body weight. ResultsThe findings obtained in this study showed that the bodyweight of 58.5% of the participants increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this increase was the highest (66.3%) among the obese. The rate of those who stated that their physical activity decreased was 69.5%. The foods consumed the most by individuals were homemade desserts (54%), nuts (53.8%) and fresh fruits (52.3%). Those whose serving size increased [OR = 4.98 (3.76-6.60)], those whose physical activity decreased or increased , respectively], and those whose number of main meals consumed increased [OR = 2.17 (1.72) − 2.75)], those with increased consumption of white bread (OR = 1.63 (1.20-2.22) and those with increased consumption of packaged sweet products [OR = 1.53 (1.23-1.89)] were more likely to gain weight. ConclusionThe results of this study show that there are significant changes in the body weight, physical activities, and eating habits of the participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary to provide and follow-up specific guidance and support services for different groups to protect public health, improve and prevent nutrition-related diseases. KeywordsCOVID-19 pandemic • Nutritional habits • Change in health behaviours • Bodyweight changes • Physical activity

Working from Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Effects on Diet, Sedentary Lifestyle, and Stress

“…In a study conducted during the first 10 weeks of lockdown in Turkey, 35% of participants gained weight [ 31 ]. Additionally, a different study including the first 40 weeks of lockdown in Turkey showed that 58.5% of the participant gained weight [ 32 ]. It was determined that individuals who were already overweight and obese at the beginning of the pandemic gained more weight during the lockdown periods [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

“…The results of this study show that a lack of physical activity is an important risk factor for weight gain. In addition, other studies have shown that this situation is a major risk factor for weight gain [ 18 , 32 , 40 , 46 , 47 ].…”

Effects of probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMC 510 supplementation on metabolic factors in otherwise healthy overweight and obese individuals

“…The World Obesity Atlas (2022), published by the World Obesity Federation, predicts that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men will be living with obesity by 2030, that correspond to one billion of people worldwide (World Obesity Atlas, 2022). Moreover, the global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the consequent social restriction measures significantly changed individuals' body weight, physical activities, daily routines and eating habits (Ali Malik et al, 2022; Schneider et al, 2022), leading to an increase in eating disorders and obesity (Rodgers et al, 2020; Sideli et al, 2021; Urhan & Okut Aysin, 2022). The WHO criteria to diagnose obesity is the body mass index (BMI) that considers overweight a person with a BMI ≥ 25, while obese a person with a BMI ≥ 30 (World Health Organization, 2021).…”

COVID-19 Pandemisinde Adölesan ve Genç Erişkinlerin Beslenme Egzersiz Davranışlarının Belirlenmesi

“…6,20,21 In a recent study, it was determined that physical activity was negatively affected at all levels and sedentary time was increased by 28% during the COVID-19 home confinement.6 In addition, in a recent study conducted in Turkey, the result that physical activity decreased by 69.5% during the pandemic period compared to before shows parallelism with our study. 22 In the present study, the ratio of participants who spent more than five hours per day on screens was by 77.8%. In our study, we also evaluated the time spent on the screen for entertainment and time except outside of work / homework / lessons as "leisure screen time".…”