As a second summer amid the COVID-19 pandemic approaches, many Americans are worried about slimming down after so many months they have mostly spent at home. Many people did not have much to do except enlarge their favorite food, television shows, and movies.
But how much weight have Americans really gained since the first home orders were issued a year ago?
Surveys have confirmed what most people have assumed – that the “quarantine 15”, just like the “first-years 15”, is a real matter. But a new study trying to better quantify the weight Americans have gained measurements from Bluetooth-connected smart scales.
According to the study, adults gained nearly two kilograms per month over a period of four months, which corresponds to the strictest closures last year. That Gregory M. Marcus, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, can easily lift up to 20 pounds[20 kg]a year, The New York Times.
“We know that weight gain in the US is already a public health problem, and therefore anything that makes it worse is definitely important, and orders at the shelter are so common that the large number of people affected by them make it extremely relevant, “Marcus said.
All study participants checked their weight as part of a cardiology study that asked them to weigh themselves regularly using Bluetooth-connected smart scales. Each participant reported approximately 28 weight measurements between February 1, 2020 and June 1, 2020.
The researchers acknowledged that the study was small – it included only 269 people – and therefore could not make any broad assumptions. However, it still points to a growing problem supported by other research.
A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association found that 42% of the 3,013 adult respondents experienced unwanted weight gain amid the pandemic. Of the group, the average person picked up 29 pounds.
But the amount was even higher among the millennials. Nearly 50% of the millennials surveyed said they had gained weight. And their average weight gain? A staggering 41 pounds, the highest amount of any generation.
Obesity is one of the biggest health threats to Americans and is considered a risk factor for worse COVID-19 disease and hospitalization.
Nearly 42% of American adults are considered obese and another 32% are overweight. Adults are considered obese if their body mass index is 30 or higher. In many states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, people with obesity are being targeted for coronavirus vaccinations.
Dr. Angela Fitch, co-director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Center, called the weight gain reported by millennials “remarkable.”
“As a specialist in obesity medicine … I certainly find it worrying,” Fitch said CBS News. “But you can see where that may be the case. I mean, it’s been a very challenging year on several levels.”
COVID-19 disrupted life in many ways. Many people are worried about the loss of loved ones or have experienced financial worries, including the cost of healthy food. Others had limited time to practice. All of this can contribute to Americans’ weight struggle.
How to lose weight in the midst of the pandemic
So how can people lose weight while still spending a lot of time at home? Here is some recommendations of the experts:
Eat more products and less processed foods and avoid sugary drinks that contain excess calories. The key is to reduce 500 calories each day through exercise and a reduced calorie intake, nutritionists say.
John Morton and Artur Viana, of Yale Medicine, recommend keeping a daily routine, planning meals, and getting to work – even when working from home. Staying in sweatpants all day can gradually hide weight gain.
Also, do not skip breakfast. Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast every day have lower body mass indices than people who skip it.
People can use the time at home to try new, healthy recipes and to improve their sleep programs so that they get more sleep every night. Obesity has been linked to lower amounts of sleep.
And of course exercise, whether indoors or outdoors when the warmer weather returns. According to the World Health Organization, adults need at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week.
Are you trying to limit the time outside? Create an impromptu gym or start family yoga sessions. If space is limited, use household cleaning and other tasks to increase daily steps.