If it was just “Quarantine 15.”
Most people have struggled to maintain their weight during the pandemic, with 61% of American adults reporting unwanted weight gain or loss since the coronavirus outbreak. This is according to a new survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) conducted on more than 3,000 people released each year until the day the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, about four in 10 Americans (about 93.3 million adults) were already obese, according to the CDC. And according to the latest APA report “Stress in America”, more than two out of five of the adults surveyed (42%) revealed that they had gained more weight than they had intended in the last 12 months. And they averaged £ 29.
In fact, one in 10 said he has earned more than £ 50, which the APA notes is a hand sign that people are struggling to cope with mental health challenges. (Indeed, the report also found that one in three Americans sleeps less during the pandemic and more than half of parents said the stress level in their lives has increased.)
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A recent WebMD survey of more than 1,000 readers also found that more than half (54%) of respondents said they had gained weight “because of COVID restrictions” that disrupt their health routine. About 54% reported exercising less, and 68% admitted to tasting more.
Even Goop wellness guru Gwyneth Paltrow revealed in a recent virtual event that she gained 14 kilograms in nine months. “I felt like my wine, pasta, biscuits, biscuits and cheese were gone,” she said. (However, in true Hollywood form, she’s already lost weight.)
And this has led to terms like “Covid 15”, people’s tendency to consider alcohol and comfortable food during the online pandemic, returning to the “Freshman 15” that some students earn when they go to college.
These extra pounds are worrying, however, especially during a global health crisis. The National Institutes of Health warns that such a significant weight gain poses serious long-term health risks. People who put on more than 11 kilograms have a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease and type II diabetes, for example, while those who gain more than 25 kilograms are at higher risk of stroke.
And in a sick turn, this extra weight that people have gained as a result of the pandemic can actually do. More susceptible to COVID-19. Having obesity increases the risk of severe COVID-19 disease, the CDC reports, and people who are overweight may also be at increased risk. Being obese can triple the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. And as the body mass index (BMI) increases, their risk of death from COVID-19 also increases.
Therefore, some states such as New York and Illinois have listed obesity as eligible comorbidities that may allow adults under 60 or 65 to receive one of the COVID-19 vaccines.
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Growths are not the only ones growing in size, as the country has taken refuge again, gyms have closed, and some people have resorted to eating comfortable foods or drinking more alcohol to cope with the stress of the pandemic, losing and jobs or last year’s controversial election cycle.
Pediatricians warn that interrupting school in person, sports and other activities also cause children to gain weight.
Veterinarians also report that pets blush. Banfield Pet Hospital, the nation’s largest general veterinary practice, with hospitals in 42 states, surveyed nearly 1,000 dog and cat owners in October 2020. About 42 percent of pet parents acknowledged that their pets of the company gained weight during the quarantine, which rose from 33% in May, reported The Wall Street Journal.
So what can you do?
MarketWatch previously spoke with several leaders in obesity research and prevention, who looked at the science around weight gain and loss to explain what to eat and what to avoid; how much exercise you need and which workouts work best; as well as their tips to make these movements part of your daily routine.
From the archives: Your BS-free guide to losing weight in the New Year
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Mental health experts have shared coping strategies to reduce feelings of existential fear; connect with family and friends remotely; and find ways to be good to yourself and find joy, even inside your balloon.