Changes in Weight and Nutritional Habits in Adults with Obesity during the "Lockdown" Period Caused by the COVID-19 Virus Emergency

Marianna Pellegrini, Valentina Ponzo, Rosalba Rosato, Elena Scumaci, Ilaria Goitre, Andrea Benso, Sara Belcastro, Chiara Crespi, Franco De Michieli, Ezio Ghigo, Fabio Broglio, Simona Bo, Marianna Pellegrini, Valentina Ponzo, Rosalba Rosato, Elena Scumaci, Ilaria Goitre, Andrea Benso, Sara Belcastro, Chiara Crespi, Franco De Michieli, Ezio Ghigo, Fabio Broglio, Simona Bo

Abstract

Our aim is evaluating the changes in weight and dietary habits in a sample of outpatients with obesity after 1 month of enforced lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Italy. In this observational retrospective study, the patients of our Obesity Unit were invited to answer to a 12-question multiple-choice questionnaire relative to weight changes, working activity, exercise, dietary habits, and conditions potentially impacting on nutritional choices. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations among weight/BMI changes and the analyzed variables. A total of 150 subjects (91.5%) completed the questionnaire. Mean self-reported weight gain was ≈1.5 kg (p < 0.001). Lower exercise, self-reported boredom/solitude, anxiety/depression, enhanced eating, consumption of snacks, unhealthy foods, cereals, and sweets were correlated with a significantly higher weight gain. Multiple regression analyses showed that increased education (inversely, β = -1.15; 95%CI -2.13, -0.17, p = 0.022), self-reported anxiety/depression (β = 1.61; 0.53, 2.69, p = 0.004), and not consuming healthy foods (β = 1.48; 0.19, 2.77, p = 0.026) were significantly associated with increased weight gain. The estimated direct effect of self-reported anxiety/depression on weight was 2.07 kg (1.07, 3.07, p < 0.001). Individuals with obesity significantly gained weight 1 month after the beginning of the quarantine. The adverse mental burden linked to the COVID-19 pandemic was greatly associated with increased weight gain.

Keywords: COVID-19 infection; dietary habits; lockdown; obesity.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Source: PubMed

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