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If only it was only the “quarantine 15.”
Most people have struggled to maintain their weight during the pandemic, with 61% of U.S. adults reporting unwanted weight gain or loss since the coronavirus outbreak. That’s according to a new American Psychological Association (APA) survey of more than 3,000 people released each year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
Before the pandemic, about four in 10 Americans (some 93.3 million adults) were already obese, according to the CDC. And according to the latest APA “Stress in America” report, more than two in five adults surveyed (42%) revealed that they had gained more weight than they expected in the past 12 months. . And they put on 29 pounds, on average.
In fact, one in 10 said they gained more than 50 pounds, which the APA says is a classic sign that people are struggling to cope with mental health issues. (Indeed, the report also found that one in three Americans was getting less sleep during the pandemic, and more than half of parents said the level of stress in their lives had increased.)
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A recent WebMD poll of over 1,000 readers also found that more than half (54%) of respondents said they had gained weight “due to COVID restrictions” disrupting their health routines. Some 54% said they exercised less and 68% admitted they snacked more.
Even Goop wellness guru Gwyneth Paltrow revealed at a recent virtual event that she gained 14 pounds in nine months. “I felt like my wine, pasta, cookies, crackers and cheese were passing me through,” she said. (In true Hollywood form, however, she’s already lost weight.)
And that has led to terms like ‘the Covid 15’ in vogue as people sympathize with turning to alcohol and comfort food during the online pandemic, reminiscent of the ‘Freshman 15’ some college students earn when they arrive at university.
These extra pounds are troubling, however, especially during a global health crisis. The National Institutes of Health warn that such significant weight gain poses serious long-term health risks. People who gain more than 11 pounds have a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease and type II diabetes, for example, while those who gain more than 25 pounds have a higher risk of stroke.
And in a sick twist, that extra weight people have gained as a result of the pandemic can actually make them. After susceptible to COVID-19. Obesity increases the risk of serious illness from COVID-19, according to the CDC, and overweight people may be at increased risk as well. Obesity can also triple the risk of hospitalization with COVID-19. And as the body mass index (BMI) increases, so does her risk of death from COVID-19.
This is why some states like New York and Illinois have listed obesity as a qualifying co-morbid condition that may allow adults under the age of 60 or 65 to get one of the COVID-19 vaccines.
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Adults aren’t the only ones with increasing waistlines as the country has sheltered in place, gyms have closed and some people have turned to consuming comfort foods or more alcohol to cope. to the stress of the pandemic, losing their jobs, or the controversial electoral cycle of last year.
Pediatricians warn that disrupting in-person schooling, sports and other activities also cause children to gain weight.
And vets report that animals are getting chubby. Banfield Pet Hospital, the country’s largest general veterinary practice with hospitals in 42 states, surveyed nearly 1,000 dog and cat owners in October 2020. Some 42% of pet parents admitted that their animals had gained weight during quarantine, up from 33% in May, the Wall Street Journal reported.
So what can you do?
MarketWatch previously spoke with several leaders in obesity research and prevention who have reviewed the science surrounding weight gain and loss to explain what to eat and what to eat. avoid; how much exercise you need and which workouts work best; along with their tips for incorporating these movements into your daily routine.
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And don’t miss: How to protect your mental health and fight ‘COVID fatigue’ this winter
Mental health experts also shared their coping strategies for reducing feelings of existential dread; connect with family and friends remotely; and find ways to be kind to yourself and find joy, even inside your bubble.
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