Incidence and associated factors of weight gain during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction and Aims: The behavioral changes that arose from quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the weight of people. This study aims to investigate the incidence and predictors of weight gain during the quarantine period.

Methods: An online survey was performed five months after the social distance measures implementation. Participants recorded their current and usual weight before lockdown. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed.

Results: Data on 1334 participants were evaluated (33.6y, 79.8% females), and 58.8% have gained weight (3.0 kg; 0.1 to 30.0 kg). Predictors of weight gain were increased food intake (OR = 5.40); snacking (OR = 2.86); fast food (OR = 1.11); canned products (OR = 1.08); and in physical activity (OR = 0.99) concerning the period before the pandemic; also time spent at work, including household chores (OR = 1.58); evening snack (OR = 1.54); higher frequency of alcoholic beverage intake (OR = 1.59) and dose of alcoholic beverage (OR = 1.11); uncontrolled eating (OR = 1.01), and vegetable intake (OR = 0.92) during the quarantine and physical activity before pandemic period (OR = 0.99).

Conclusion: Most participants have gained weight during the pandemic because of working changes, lifestyle, eating habits changes, and uncontrolled eating behavior. These results can be useful to encourage changes during future quarantine periods to prevent weight gain.