“Stay-at-Home” Lifestyle Effect on Weight Gain during the COVID-19 Outbreak Confinement in China

Qi Zhu, Min Li, Yu Ji, Youpeng Shi, Jie Zhou, Qianyue Li, Ruoyu Qin and Xun Zhuang
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Qi Zhu: School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
Min Li: School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
Yu Ji: Xinglin College, Nantong University, Nantong 226008, China
Youpeng Shi: Xinglin College, Nantong University, Nantong 226008, China
Jie Zhou: Xinglin College, Nantong University, Nantong 226008, China
Qianyue Li: Xinglin College, Nantong University, Nantong 226008, China
Ruoyu Qin: Xinglin College, Nantong University, Nantong 226008, China
Xun Zhuang: School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: In February 2020, a novel coronavirus (SARS-COV2) broke out in Wuhan city of China. The Chinese government decisively imposed nationwide confinement. This study comprised a structured, online questionnaire, based on 40 items inquiring about socio-demographic information and anthropometric data (reporting weight and height), as well as changes in food intake, physical activity, and sleep during the COVID-19 outbreak. Questionnaires were distributed to residents of Jiangsu and other provinces from 29 March to 5 April. A total of 889 respondents were included, aged between 16 and 70 years (61% females). There was a significant increase in total food intake by 9.8% and a slight increase by 29.2% of respondents, and a significant decrease in physical activity by 31.5% and a slight decrease by 23.4% of respondents, especially in snacks and drinks, and outdoor activities. The rate of weight gain in the total population was 30.6% and the average weight gain was 0.5 ± 2.8 kg. The main factors contributing to weight gain were increased food intake and reduced physical activity. Additionally, normal-weight people were more likely to gain weight than people with overweight/obesity during the COVID-19 confinement. This study provided a good warning and educational reference value on lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 confinement.

Keywords: COVID-19; “stay-at-home” lifestyle; food intake; physical activity; weight gain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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