It’s Time to Kick The COVID-19 Weight Gain

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many of our daily routines, including healthy eating and exercising. As a result, many Americans found undesired weight gain to be an added stressor of the pandemic. In fact, 42% of U.S. adults reported undesired weight gain due to COVID, according to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association. The average weight increase was 29 pounds.

A study published in the JAMA Network Open in March 2021 said this weight gain “was likely relative of changes in physical activity and patterns of daily living, as well as concurrent self-reported increases in snacking and overeating.” With the stay-at-home order, people lost sight of healthy habits of daily meals and exercise. If this sounds like you, take these steps to optimize health and manage extra weight:

• Eat meals on a regular schedule. A regular schedule helps identify hunger and fullness.
• Choose low or non-calorie beverages. Water is an ideal choice.
• Choose a protein source at every meal to maximize nutrition and fullness.

If you need help losing weight, schedule an appointment with CentraCare Weight Management to learn about new interventions for weight loss. Losing the weight put on during COVID will help you feel your best when getting back to normal life again, such as attending events, going back into the office and seeing family and friends. It will also decrease your risk of severe illness in case you get COVID-19. Studies have shown that individuals with obesity may have triple the risk of hospitalization due to a COVID-19 infection.