Abstract
COVID-19-related restrictions impacted weight and weight-related factors during the initial months of the pandemic. However, longitudinal analyses are scarce. An online, longitudinal study was conducted among self-selected UK adults (n = 1818), involving three surveys (May–June, August–September, November–December 2020), covering anthropometric, sociodemographic, COVID-19-related and behavioural measures. Data were analysed using generalised estimating equations. Self-reported average weight/body mass index (BMI) significantly increased between the May–June period and the August–September period (74.95 to 75.33 kg/26.22 kg/m2 to 26.36kg/m2, p < 0.001, respectively), and then significantly decreased to November–December (to 75.06 kg/26.27 kg/m2, p < 0.01), comparable to May–June levels (p = 0.274/0.204). However, there was great interindividual variation, 37.0%/26.7% increased (average 3.64 kg (95% confidence interval: 3.32, 3.97)/1.64 kg/m2 (1.49, 1.79)), and 34.5%/26.3% decreased (average 3.59 kg (3.34, 3.85)/1.53 kg/m2 (1.42, 1.63)) weight/BMI between May–June and November–December. Weight/BMI increase was significantly negatively associated with initial BMI, and positively associated with monthly high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) snacks intake and alcohol consumption, and for BMI only, older age. Associations were time-varying; lower initial BMI, higher HFSS snacks intake and high-risk alcohol consumption were associated with maintaining weight/BMI increases between August–September and November–December. The average weight/BMI of UK adults fluctuated between May–June and November–December 2020. However, the substantial interindividual variation in weight/BMI trajectories indicates long-term health impacts from the pandemic, associated with food and alcohol consumption.
Highlights
Since the start of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the introduction of severe lockdown restrictions to limit avoidable morbidity and mortality
Since few studies have looked at longitudinal changes beyond the initial pandemic, considering various drivers of overweight/obesity, this study aims to identify if any weight or body mass index (BMI) change during the COVID-19 pandemic was long-term and has been maintained for 6 months of follow-up, and to identify the predictors of long-term weight or BMI change from baseline to 6-months follow-up
Our results suggest that diet and alcohol consumption during the pandemic are associated with longer-term changes in weight/BMI
Summary
Since the start of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the introduction of severe lockdown restrictions to limit avoidable morbidity and mortality. In the UK, COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were first imposed on 23 March 2020. Restrictions were eased from June and July onwards before harsher restrictions returned at the start of October. Various forms of lockdowns were enforced across the four nations of the UK in November and December 2020. The timing and duration of lockdowns varied across devolved nations. All nations were under lockdown for several weeks during November and December before a tiered restriction system was introduced, where some regions remained under strict lockdown whilst other regions faced more relaxed restrictions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
