Coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak: does confinement have any impact on weight variation and weight change perception?

Abstract

Background: In the time of confinement, a reduction of physical activities, unhealthy diet, sedentary behavior, and an increase in sitting time will contribute to weight change. During these stressful times, individuals might have a greater concern about their body image and weight. Therefore, the first objective of the current study is to evaluate the impact of confinement during the COVID-19 outbreak on weight variation. The second objective is to evaluate factors associated with weight perception among a sample of the Lebanese population.Method: A cross-sectional web-based online survey, carried out between 3 and 18 April, 2020, enrolled 407 participants. Due to the confinement situation, the height and weight of the participants were estimated by them themselves. The variation of declared BMI was calculated by taking away the weight estimated during the confinement from the weight estimated before the confinement. The perception of weight change was assessed using one dichotomized question (positive/negative). Results: No significant variation was found for the BMI before and during the confinement (p=0.40). A perceived weight change was found in 212 (52.1%) participants. Multivariable analysis showed that longer duration of confinement (Beta=-0.01), higher restraint (Beta=-0.21), higher physical activity (Beta=-0.006) and low income (Beta=-0.59) were significantly associated with a lower BMI variation. When taking perceived weight change as the dependent variable, the results showed that a higher fear of COVID-19 score (ORa=0.96) was significantly associated with lower positive weight change perception. However, higher confinement duration (ORa=1.07), higher anxiety (ORa=1.05) and higher eating concern (ORa=1.81) were significantly associated with greater weight change perception.Conclusion: Our main results indicate that no significant change in weight was detected before and during confinement. The fear of COVID -19 was not related to weight change; however, a negative association was found with weight perception. Also, longer duration of confinement were associated with a lower declared BMI variation and greater weight change perception. These results are a step forward to understand the long-term effects of confinement on physical and psychological health.

Relation among Perceived Weight Change, Sedentary Activities and Sleep Quality during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Study in an Academic Community in Northern Italy

“…This study has also some strengths. One above all is represented by the fact that the survey was conducted after two months of lockdown, and not just a few weeks after closing or during isolation, as it was previously shown/demonstrated that a prolonged confinement is considerably associated with a greater perception of weight change [ 61 ].…”

“…This study has also some strengths. One above all is represented by the fact that the survey was conducted after two months of lockdown, and not just a few weeks after closing or during isolation, as it was previously shown/demonstrated that a prolonged confinement is considerably associated with a greater perception of weight change [61]. This is a snapshot illustrating a specific moment of the first national lockdown experienced in Italy, without being able to properly catch the changes over time in the variables considered with respect to the pandemic continue, even though it could be useful for future comparisons.…”

Assessing Changes in Lifestyle and Health-Related Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey Among Lebanese Adults

“…Lebanese ones, had demonstrated weight gain during the COVID-19 home con nement [2,25,[46][47][48], likely due to boredom, anxiety, and stress reactions to COVID-19 leading to changes in eating habits, such as increased consumption of highly energetic foods (rich in sugar and fat) [49].…”

“…Several studies were conducted to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Lebanese adults, covering mental health, domestic violence, weight change, stress, and anxiety [24][25][26][27]. Their ndings revealed that the fear of COVID-19 was associated with a negative weight perception [25] and higher stress and anxiety, particularly in women [26]. Furthermore, extended con nement was associated with a higher weight change perception [25].…”

“…Their ndings revealed that the fear of COVID-19 was associated with a negative weight perception [25] and higher stress and anxiety, particularly in women [26]. Furthermore, extended con nement was associated with a higher weight change perception [25].…”