With a second summer approaching amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans are concerned about losing weight after spending so many months mostly at home. A lot of people haven’t had much to do except for their favorite food, television shows and movies.
But how much weight have Americans really put on since the first home custody orders were issued a year ago?
Surveys have confirmed what most people assumed – that the “quarantine 15”, like the “freshman 15”, is a real concern. But one new study tried to better quantify the weight that Americans have gained by using measurements of smart scales with Bluetooth connection
The studies found that adults gained nearly two pounds a month over a four-month period, which is consistent with last year’s toughest lockdowns. Which could easily gain up to 20 pounds in a year, researcher Dr. Gregory M. Marcus, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, The New York Times
“We know that weight gain is already a public health problem in the US, so anything that makes it worse is absolutely concerning, and on-site shelter orders are so ubiquitous that the sheer number of people affected makes it extremely relevant. , ”Said Marcus.
All study participants tracked their weight as part of a cardiology study in which they were asked to weigh themselves regularly using smart scales with Bluetooth connectivity. Each participant reported approximately 28 weight measurements between February 1, 2020 and June 1, 2020.
The researchers acknowledged that the study is small – only 269 people were involved – and therefore cannot make broad assumptions. However, it still points to a growing problem that is supported by other research.
A survey by the American Psychological Association found that 42% of 3,013 adult respondents said they experienced unwanted weight gain during the pandemic. Of that group, the average person has gained 29 pounds.
But that number was even higher among millennials. Nearly 50% of Millennials surveyed said they had gained weight. And their average weight gain? An astonishing 41 pounds, the highest of any generation.
Obesity is one of the biggest health threats to Americans and is considered a risk factor for more serious COVID-19 disease and hospitalization.
Nearly 42% of American adults are considered obese and an additional 32% are overweight. Adults are considered obese if their body mass index is 30 or above. In many states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, obese people are prioritized for coronavirus vaccines.
Dr. Angela Fitch, associate director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Center, called the weight gain reported by millennials “striking.”
“As an obesity drug specialist … I certainly find it alarming,” Fitch said CBS News“But you can see where this could be the case. I mean it’s been a really challenging year, on multiple levels.”
COVID-19 has disrupted life in many ways. Many people have mourned the loss of loved ones or faced financial concerns, including the cost of a healthy diet. Others have had little time to practice. All of that could contribute to Americans’ weight problems.
How to Lose Weight During the Pandemic
So how can people lose weight while still spending much of their time at home? Be here some recommendations from the experts:
Eat more produce and fewer processed foods, and avoid sugary drinks that have excess calories. The key is to cut 500 calories each day through exercise and a reduced calorie intake, nutritionists say.
Maintaining a daily routine, planning meals, and dressing up for work – even when working from home – can keep people on track with their fitness goals, recommend John Morton and Artur Viana of Yale Medicine. Staying in sweatpants all day can hide any gradual weight gain.
Also, don’t skip breakfast. Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast every day have a lower body mass index than those who skip it.
People can use the time at home to try new, healthy recipes and improve their sleep regimens so that they get more sleep every night. Obesity has been linked to less sleep.
And of course exercise, whether it is indoors or outdoors when the weather returns warmer. According to the World Health Organization, adults need at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week.
Trying to limit time outdoors? Create a makeshift gym or start family yoga sessions. If space is limited, use household cleaners and other chores to increase daily steps.