Can The Lockdown Make You Fat?
The team from the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University wrote that physical distancing increases anxiety by limiting the ability to socially interact. They hypothesized that feelings of loneliness and isolation, combined with confinement or sheltering at home, can lead to overeating. They added that this effect can be compounded by less physical activity, as people are urged to work from home and venture out as little as possible. They also noted that people with limited economic resources are more likely to eat highly processed and energy rich foods that stimulate appetite and lead to consuming more calories than they need. In a letter published in the scientific journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology, the trio wrote of their concern that policy makers do not fully understand how strategies such as lockdowns and business closures could fuel the rise of obesity – “a chronic disease with severe health implications, but with few reliable treatment options.” Learn more about enhancing wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Christopher Clemmensen et al, “Will the COVID-19 pandemic worsen the obesity epidemic,” Nature Reviews Endocrinology, July 8, 2020.
More current news from this week’s bulletin:
- Best Masks To Prevent Coronavirus
- Yoga To Ease Anxiety
- Cornbread, elevated! Chili & Cilantro Cornbread Muffins
Sign up for more Dr. Weil newsletters: