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. 2024 Jan-Mar;60(1):37-46.
doi: 10.4415/ANN_24_01_06.

Consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on weight gain and physical activity: a prospective cohort study from Italy

Chiara Stival  1 , Alessandra Lugo  1 , Giulia Carreras  2 , Anna Odone  3 , Piet A van den Brandt  4 , Giuseppe Gorini  2 , Sabrina Molinaro  5 , Sonia Cerrai  5 , Roberta Pacifici  6 , Silvano Gallus  1 ; “Lost in Toscana” and “Lost in Italy” Investigators*; members of the “Lost in Toscana” Investigators; members of the “Lost in Italy” Investigators
Collaborators, Affiliations

Consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on weight gain and physical activity: a prospective cohort study from Italy

Chiara Stival et al. Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2024 Jan-Mar.

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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