I know I’ve written about pandemic weight gain before but it’s an important topic to discuss since an overwhelming number of people have reported it. According to a study, people in the United States gained an average of 1.5 pounds per month during the pandemic lockdowns.
In the study, 269 participants with ages ranging from early 30s-early 60s were monitored between Feb. 1 and June 1 last year and gained about 0.6 pounds body weight every 10 days after the shelter-in-place orders were implemented. The weight gain occurred regardless of geographic location or any other health problems. For many people in the United States(and around the world), physical activity declined. Participants also reported increased stress related to the pandemic with an increase in food and drink intake.
Physical activity has many benefits including, but not limited to, stress reduction, improved insulin sensitivity, and decreased risk for micro and macro complications.
Original Article: Lin AL, Vittinghoff E, Olgin JE, Pletcher MJ, Marcus GM. Body Weight Changes During Pandemic-Related Shelter-in-Place in a Longitudinal Cohort Study. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(3):e212536. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.2536
If you’re reading this and fall into the weight gain category, or even the large group of people not reaching physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 mins of vigorous – reach out to our practice for a customized weight-reduction plan with concurrent insulin adjustment. We have a team of dieticians and exercise physiologists that can work with you specifically on weight reduction and/or health and wellness.
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