Predictors of Weight Loss and Weight Gain in Weight Management Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Jennifer L Kuk,Sean Wharton,Rebecca A G Christensen,Elham Kamran Samani,Aron Weller

doi:10.1155/2021/4881430

Jennifer L Kuk, Sean Wharton + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/4881430

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Abstract

Objective To examine the associations between patient struggles, health, and weight management changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods 585 patients attending a publicly funded clinical weight management program responded to an electronic survey. Results Over half of the patients reported worsened overall health, mental health, physical activity, or diet during the pandemic. Approximately 30% of patients lost ≥3% of their body weight and 21% gained ≥3% of their body weight between March and July of the pandemic. Reports of social isolation was associated with increased odds for weight loss in women (OR = 2.0, 1.2–3.3), while low motivation (OR = 1.9, 1.0–3.7), depression (OR = 2.5, 1.0–6.3), and struggles with carbohydrate intake (OR = 2.1, 1.0–4.3) were associated with weight gain. Cooking more at home/eating less take out was associated with increased likelihood of weight loss (OR = 2.1, 1.1–3.9) and lower odds for weight gain (OR = 0.2, 0.1 to 0.97). Working from home was not associated with weight loss or weight gain (P > 0.6). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with certain factors that may facilitate weight loss and other factors that promote weight gain. Thus, depending on the patient experience during the pandemic, prevention of weight gain may be more appropriate than weight loss.

Highlights

With the COVID-19 pandemic there have been many governmental restrictions imposed that may have a dramatic impact on weight management
When factors were examined together, over ∼60% of patients reported that their physical and/or mental health have worsened with the pandemic, and 74% of females and 79% of males reported that their diet and/or physical activity have worsened with the pandemic, while only 7.5% of females and 4% of males report that both their diet and physical activity had improved with the pandemic
Difficulties with physical activity and diet were associated with increased odds of weight gain and a lower odds of weight loss

Summary

Introduction

With the COVID-19 pandemic there have been many governmental restrictions imposed that may have a dramatic impact on weight management. There may be differences in those who are focused on obesity management in their response to the same governmental restrictions that may result in positive or negative obesity management effects. Closures to fitness facilities and stay-at-home orders may have negatively impacted physical activity [4]. Changes in physical activity are associated with weight change during the COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home mandates [3, 5]. The stay-at-home order may make grocery shopping and access to healthy foods more difficult [6]. Increased intake of snacks and food consumption is reported to be associated with greater weight gain [7, 8]. There has been increased stress [2, 7], loss of employment [2], and less access to healthcare and social isolation, all of which may influence weight management. e majority of the research to date has focused on weight gain and negative health

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Conclusion