Consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on weight gain and physical activity: a prospective cohort study from Italy
Authors
Chiara Stival, Alessandra Lugo, Giulia Carreras, Anna Odone, Piet A van den Brandt, Giuseppe Gorini, Sabrina Molinaro, Sonia Cerrai, Roberta Pacifici, Silvano Gallus, and the “Lost in Toscana” and “Lost in Italy” Investigators
Abstract
Introduction. It is crucial to monitor changes in body weight and physical activity (PA) to understand if short-term effects of COVID-19 pandemic have had implications over time.
Methods. This longitudinal study is based on data from 4,831 Italians aged 18-74 years interviewed during the first phase of COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020) and two years later (February-March 2022). Changes in body weight and PA were assessed through multivariable analyses in association with socio-demographic and psychological characteristics.
Results. Over the two years, 17.4% reported a weight gain of at least 5 kg and 32.8% a decreased PA by at least 4 hours per week. Weight gain and decreased PA were more frequent in participants from the less wealthy areas, with lower educational level and those who reported a worsening in mental health.
Conclusions. After two years from the start of the pandemic, in Italy we observed a trend toward a renormalization of body weight and PA. The segments of the population mostly affected by the pandemic are subjects with more disadvantaged socio-economic status and with an impaired mental health.
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