According to a survey conducted by some researchers mainly from the Louisiana State University (LSU), it is the people with obesity who have had most health-related effects due to the lockdown.

This survey as a part of a study published in the journal Obesity discusses the changes in health behaviours that took place during the COVID-19 lockdowns since the first one was imposed through March and April. It covers a wider geographical area with people from several countries showing alterations in people’s personal eating and sleeping habits, according to a new study based on a first-of-its-kind global survey.

“The stay-at-home orders did result in one major health positive. Overall, healthy eating increased because we ate out less frequently. However, we snacked more. We got less exercise. We went to bed later and slept more poorly. Our anxiety levels doubled,” said study co-author Leanne Redman from Louisiana State University.

“Overall, people with obesity improved their diets the most. But they also experienced the sharpest declines in mental health and the highest incidence of weight gain,” Redman said.

Running through the month of April, the survey included 7,754 responses, with a major chunk of US respondents followed by Australians, Canadians, people from the UK, and more than 50 other countries also participating.

“Approximately one-third of the surveyed people with obesity gained weight during the lockdown, compared to 20.5 percent of people with normal weight or overweight,” the survey revealed.

“The survey thousands of people across the globe on lifestyle behaviour changes in response to stay-at-home orders. The study demonstrates that chronic diseases like obesity affect our health beyond the physical,” said John Kirwan, another co-author of the study.

Two ways were suggested by the scientists for the management of patients with obesity:

One of these methods is by increasing the number of mental health screenings during and after the pandemic, said Emily Flanagan, lead author of the study from LSU.

Flanagan said physicians should also monitor patients by remaining connected to the study participants through remote visits and telehealth to prevent irreversible health effects from the pandemic.

The scientists believe virtual visits via telehealth checkups can assuage patients’ concerns about the safety of in-person visits.