At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and all throughout, individuals all over the United States and around the world experienced life in containment. For periods of time, individuals were mandated to stay within the walls of their homes, and even when those rules were lifted, many people found themselves wanting to stay home the majority of their day, or all together, anyway. This new way of life for many impacted not only physical activity levels and mental well-being, but also eating habits. This did not just affect one walk of life, rather this effect is being seen in all genders, ages, and races. To examine the changes due to COVID-19, information from older adults, children, and young adults who agreed that they were noticeably healthier before the pandemic was gathered and analyzed.
Italy is a significant country for discussion regarding COVID-19, as it was among the first European countries to report a case of the infection, as well as the first country to mandate a stay-at-home order in March of 2020. When analyzing the COVID-19 pandemic effects on physical activity in older adults, it was stated that the meantime dedicated to moderate or intense physical activity significantly decreased from 3.8 h/week to 2.8 h/week (1). This finding is important when considering the older adult population, as a decrease in physical activity, as well as increased isolation, has already been shown to be linked to a decrease in mental health and physical wellbeing. With the added mandates as a result of the pandemic, a further reduction in these areas of an older adult’s lifestyle will result in worsening mental health, decreased physical activity, and possibly increased body weight.
As for other adults, categorized as young adults, the biggest concern was not just mental wellbeing, but rather its relationship to physical wellbeing in respect to weight and BMI. The onset of COVID-19 introduced a lot of stress into individuals' lives. This is especially significant for adults, who had to combat not only changes in lifestyle, but also the factor of income. It was also found that increased stress levels were significantly associated with increased alcohol intake and snacking (2). The stress of being stuck inside as well as facing financial struggles, some greater than individuals have ever faced before, were just some of the factors that placed great stressors on individuals. In turn, these stressors proved to be a direct determinant of increased snacking, increased weight gain, increased alcohol consumption, and a decline in mental wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic.
During this time, adults were not the only ones affected by COVID-19. Children also proved to be showing signs of health-related behavior shifts due to the pandemic. Although it is true that health-behavior changes are evident in all ages, it is also true that weight gain has been seen most in children out of any other age group. Even before COVID-19, obesity has been a pandemic of its own for many children. With the introduction of the coronavirus, weight gain and prevalence of obesity within children has only increased and weight management efforts have only grown more complicated. It was found that widespread disruption of normal educational and social routines affected 75% of the world’s students and school closures also led to rapid increases in body mass for children (3). This shows the correlation between COVID-19 and weight gain in children. As children are kept home from school, shifted away from their normal routines in and out of school, it is seen that there is a steady weight increase in many children. Not only is this concerning for children in general, but it makes the idea of children contracting the coronavirus even more dangerous. Children who have a raised BMI are more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 which means that weight management in children during and even going forward, after the pandemic, should be of the highest priority.
Works Cited
1. Stival C, Lugo A, Bosetti C, Amerio A, Serafini G, Cavalieri d’Oro L, Odone A, Stuckler D, Iacoviello L, Bonaccio M, van den Brandt PA, Zucchi A, Gallus S. Covid-19 confinement impact on weight gain and physical activity in the older adult population: Data from the LOST in Lombardia study. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022;48(329-335). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.01.024.
2. Hill G, Argueta S, Jackson L. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Diet and Health-Related Behaviors of Adults. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2021;121(9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2021.06.252.
3. Tsenoli M, Moverley-Smith JE, Khan M-AB. A community perspective of COVID-19 and obesity in children: Causes and consequences. Obes Med. 2021;22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obmed.2021.100327.
Picture References
1. Pixel-Shot. Measuring tape on grey background. Adobe Stock. Accessed March 22, 2022.
2. Drazen. Mother and son wearing face masks while traveling by public transport. Adobe Stock. Accessed March 22, 2022.
3. moodboard. Low section of woman standing on weighing scale in bathroom. Adobe Stock. Accessed March 22, 2022.
4. Rawpixel.com. African American Depressive Sad Broken Heart Concept. Adobe Stock. Accessed March 22, 2022.
5. Drazen. Small black boy receiving vaccine due to COVID-19 pandemic. Adobe Stock. Accessed March 22, 2022.
Credits:
Created with images by Pixel-Shot - "Measuring tape on grey background" • Drazen - "Mother and son wearing face masks while traveling by public transport." • moodboard - "Low section of woman standing on weighing scale in bathroom" • Rawpixel.com - "African American Depressive Sad Broken Heart Concept" • Drazen - "Small black boy receiving vaccine due to COVID-19 pandemic."