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

Abstract

Many companies switched to working from home (WFH) after the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper aimed to examine the changes in dietary behavior, body weight, sedentary lifestyle, and stress in individuals who practice WFH. A cross-sectional, web-based questionnaire was administered between March and May 2021 and included socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, WFH arrangement, changes in diet, sedentary lifestyle, and stress status. A total of 328 individuals (260 women, 68 men), aged 31.3 ± 8.3 years with a BMI of 24.9 ± 4.6 kg/m2, participated in the study. The questionnaire revealed that the daily working time increased with WFH. The majority of the individuals (59.1%) gained weight. The average daily sedentary time and the Perceived Stress Scale score increased significantly. The daily sedentary time and Non-Healthy Diet Index scores were higher in individuals who gained weight (p < 0.05). A multinominal regression model revealed that increased body weight was less likely in individuals with underweight and normal BMI classifications. Normal BMI, stable work shifts, and no physical activity were positive predictors for gaining weight. These results suggest that WFH may have significant negative effects on physical and mental status of individuals.

Effects of working from home on lifestyle behaviors and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey study

“…Another negative aspect of the forced transition to WH was that almost 40% of participants reported an increase in body weight during WH than before. This is consistent with results from other studies conducted during the lockdown imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic [ 19 , 34 , 36 , 54 , 55 ]. This finding raises concerns about the potential negative consequences for home workers, as body weight gain is associated with chronic disease risk, such as cardiometabolic disease and cancer [ 56 ].…”

“…It is interesting to note that the majority of the study participants (61.2%) were in the normal weight range for BMI on the date the questionnaire was completed, while only 7.4% were obese, and 29.4% of participants declared to be overweight, which approaches prevalence data for BMI categories in Italy [ 57 ]. Notably, an important proportion of subjects self-reported to be overweight at the compilation date, which might expose them to the risk of developing obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 54 ] and to the adverse health outcomes of gaining weight.…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Mediterranean diet adherence: A narrative systematic review

“…This coincided with other dietary habits reported. In fact, a quantitative cross-sectional study from Turkey (Coşkun et al, 2022) reported weight gain in 59.1% of participants working from home during the lockdown period. Additionally, weight gain was associated with higher work hours, daily sedentary time and Non-Healthy Diet Index scores.…”

Changes in Teleworking and Physical Activity Behaviors in the United States Before and After Emergence of COVID-19

“…A Brazilian study found that individuals who were required to telework, compared with those who remained at their usual worksites, were more likely to be physically active 12 . Conversely, working from home was associated with greater sedentary time among Turkish employees 28 . Studies of Japanese workers found that teleworkers experienced large declines in active commuting—declines which were not offset by commensurate gains in noncommute active transportation 14 .…”

“…12 Conversely, working from home was associated with greater sedentary time among Turkish employees. 28 Studies of Japanese workers found that teleworkers experienced large declines in active commuting-declines which were not offset by commensurate gains in noncommute active transportation. 14 They also performed less PA during work time, relative to those who remained in the office, with the share of worktime spent teleworking inversely correlated to PA participation.…”