The COVID-19 pandemic forced gyms to close and people to stay indoors during the spring and summer of 2020, and many gained weight as a result of the reduced activity.
In a study published in the journal Obesity, 27.5% of respondents reported gaining weight during the pandemic, while 33.4% of those who are obese gained weight, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported.
Although overall scores for healthy eating increased slightly because of less eating out and increased cooking, sedentary behaviors increased and physical activity declined, the study found.
“I don’t think it’s a surprise that these new normals of the pandemic have made it more difficult to keep up with healthy habits,” said Tiffany Krogstead, a dietician at Sanford Health.