Spending months in lockdown is bound to have an effect on a person. From mental health issues to physical ones, there’s no use denying that 2020 has changed us all. One of the biggest side effects of quarantine for most Americans has been weight gain. Now that we’re spending so much time at home, there’s not much else to do to occupy our time and no better way to comfort ourselves than eating yummy junk food. However, it’s definitely expanded our waistlines.
- More than three-quarters of Americans surveyed admitted packing on the pounds. A survey of 2,000 American men and women found that 76% admitted to gaining an average of 16 pounds during lockdown. The data, collected by OnePoll on behalf of Nutrisystem, also found that 69% of people have upped their snacking game because there’s nothing better to do.
- Comfort foods really are comforting. A whopping 65% of respondents said that they’ve been drowning their sorrows in comfort foods during lockdown, while 33% said that eating well and not going down a spiral of junk food was their biggest struggle during this whole crisis. I can well believe it! An additional 42% said they struggled with having a consistent eating pattern, for instance sticking to three meals instead of grazing throughout the day.
- We’re not even getting dressed anymore! When’s the last time you wore “outside clothes”? If you can’t remember, you’re not alone. Of those polled, 46% of people said they’ve only been wearing sweatpants or leggings throughout lockdown and 28% admitted they can’t even remember the last time they wore pants!
- The tides are turning, however! Now that the world is beginning to open up again, people are ready to make a positive change, with 64% of respondents saying they’re feeling the desire to eat healthier and 63% saying they’re making a healthier diet and exercise regimen a priority moving forward. Let’s all make a healthy change!
