Lockdowns Making Things Worse for Obese Americans

“Even though more patients are cooking at home, the type of foods that are being stockpiled are likely to be processed foods due to their longer shelf life,” the authors wrote. “It is possible Americans may be trading one pattern of low-quality consumption for another by choosing cheaper processed foods instead of eating out.”

Almost half of patients said they were exercising less, and nearly 56% said the intensity of their workouts had decreased since quarantine began. The study noted that loneliness and social isolation are predictors of physical inactivity.

The survey also revealed that many patients were struggling with mental health symptoms. More than 72% reported an increase in anxiety, and more than 83% said they were more depressed than usual.

Since obesity is partly behavior-driven, mental health issues can make the situation worse, triggering harmful habits like stress-eating, the authors noted.

Connie Diekman, a St. Louis-based food and nutrition consultant who reviewed the findings, said that health care providers in the weight-loss field need to be mindful of the pandemic’s psychological impacts.

“One of the things that we dietitians have seen through all of this is a lot of guilt on the part of patients, because they aren’t exercising, because they’re overeating, or because they’re bingeing,” Diekman said. “Guilt, of course, only makes those behaviors worse.”

That’s why, she said, it’s necessary to give people a break.

“It’s OK if you fell off the wagon, but now the key is when you’re going to get back on the wagon,” Diekman said.

She said those who are struggling to lose weight should start by identifying one simple change they can make in their diet and exercise. For example, that could mean getting on a meal schedule, lowering the number of snacks consumed per day, or committing to a daily walk around the block.

“It’s about identifying the easiest first step towards regaining control,” Diekman said. “Take it one step at a time, because small steps lead to big change, and they also are maintainable.”

The study authors hope their findings underscore the importance of making mental health services a routine part of weight-loss treatment.