Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown on weight status and factors associated with weight gain among adults in Massachusetts

Summary

The study aims to examine the impact of the coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic lockdown on weight, overweight and obesity, and identify factors associated with weight gain. At a safety net health system in Massachusetts, 11 534 adults were retrospectively followed within 3 months of the COVID‐19 lockdown. Chi‐square and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported for categorical and continues variables, respectively. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with weight gain (≥0.01 kg and 5%). During the lockdown period, greater proportion of women gained weight compared to men (46.1% vs 40.6%, P < .01). The obesity rate after the lockdown increased among women (40.7%‐41.7, P < .01) but decreased among men (39.6%‐38.6, P < .01) compared to before the lockdown. Post‐lockdown obesity rates increased among Haitian (51.2%‐55.0%, P < .01) and Hispanic women (50.7%‐51.8%, P < .01). More than 5% weight gain was associated with 18 to 39 vs ≥60 years of age (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.97), food and housing insecurity (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.97) and tobacco use (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.78) among men; and 18 to 39 vs ≥60 years of age (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.25, 1.91), Hispanics (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.54), Brazilians (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.45), and tobacco use (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.10, 1.69) among women. During the COVID‐19 lockdown, significant proportion of participants gained weight, but subgroup variations existed. Our study can inform healthcare professionals about the impact of the lockdown on unhealthy weight gain and identify vulnerable populations. Strategies are needed to combat unhealthy weight gain during and beyond the pandemic.