Evaluation of the Effect of the COVID -19 ‘Lockdown Process’ on the Clinical and Metabolic Parameters of Obese Patients: A Single Center Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: The COVID-19 "lockdown process" can cause weight gain due to sedentary lifestyle, dietary and sleep disturbances. In this study, we aimed to determine clinical and metabolic effects of weight change in obese patients caused by the quarantine. Methods: This study included 44 patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m2. In the study, patients’ pre-quarantine metabolic parameters were obtained from hospital records. The metabolic parameters of the patients were measured again after quarantine. Patients were questioned about weight tracking, eating habits, exercise, and the need for hospital admission during quarantine. Findings: Of the patients (n=44), 72.7% were women and mean age was 39.89±13.92 (18.00-61.00) years. The BMI of patients was 36 (30.70-46.00) kg/m² and 27.3% (n=12) of patients were morbidly obese. During the quarantine, patients' weight (p<0.001) and BMI (p<0.001) increased. Patients' dietary compliance changed from 27.3% to 13.6% (p:0.109) and home exercise from 29.5% to 31.8% (p: 0.999). 68.2% of patients tracked weight and 52.3% experienced increased appetite. Obese patients tracked their weight significantly more often than morbidly obese patients (p=0.027). Weight gain wasn’t associated with dietary compliance (p:0.609) and exercise (p:0.633). A significant increase in patients’ glucose, insulin, HOMA- IR and cholesterol (p<0.001 for each) was observed. Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that the COVID -19 “Lockdown Process" increased BMI in obese patients regardless of diet and exercise. Consequently, a significant worsening was observed in obese patients' insulin resistance and lipid parameters. Active follow-up strategies for obese patients in possible quarantines can prevent the negative consequences.