Energy balance
During COVID-19 peak-lockdown periods, US adults experienced significant longitudinal weight gain (mean +0.62 kg) driven by increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, frequent snacking, higher takeout frequency, and reduced physical activity, with these behavioral disruptions persisting for many individuals even after lockdown restrictions eased.
If you gained weight during lockdown, don't assume it will disappear once restrictions end. The study shows that risky habits like eating more ultra-processed foods, snacking frequently, and ordering takeout often persist. To reverse this, you must actively address the root causes: manage stress, improve craving control, and consciously reduce intake of processed foods and screen time, as these behaviors are linked to continued weight gain even after the pandemic context changes.
Body weight increased (+0.62 kg; p < 0.05) at the post-lockdown period... Weight-gainers engaged in riskier dietary behaviors such as frequent ultra-processed food intake (p < 0.01) and snacking (p < 0.001), were less active, and reported high stress and less craving control during peak-lockdown. Of those gaining >5 lbs, 33% continued to gain weight after the lockdown eased, while 28% maintain higher body weight.
Why this rating
Longitudinal observational design with self-reported data; while statistically significant, self-reporting bias and lack of controlled conditions limit causal certainty.
Source
Longitudinal Weight Gain and Related Risk Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adults in the US
Surabhi Bhutani et al. · Nutrients · 2021
DOI 10.3390/nu13020671
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