The obesity epidemic: nearly 80% of Americans have gained weight on self-isolation

The need for self-isolation led to 76% of US residents gaining up to 16 pounds (over 7 kg) during quarantine, according to a new study commissioned by Nutrisystem, a commercial provider of weight loss products and services. Writes about it Fox Business.

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Another 63% of U.S. adults admitted that they currently give priority to weight loss after quarantine, trying to change the eating habits that they managed to gain during self-isolation, which lasted from mid-March. Other difficulties noted in the survey were that 42% of Americans struggled to stay physically active and maintain a consistent meal schedule while self-isolation, while 34% were too hard to maintain motivation while working from home .

Long before the coronavirus pandemic spread to the United States, the country's obesity rate was 42,4%, according to the updated CDC Adult Obesity Facts page, which provides a brief overview of the National Center for Medical Statistics.

The government agency also cited a study by the Department of Health, according to which the annual cost of medical care for obese people was $ 1429 higher than for people with normal weight in the early 2000s. In 2008, the annual cost of treating obesity in the US was $ 147 billion.

More recent estimates from the National League of Cities - a US advocacy organization for 19 cities, towns and villages - say that annual medical costs related to obesity rose to $495 billion in 190,2, accounting for 2012% of the country's annual medical costs. .

If the level of obesity remains the same, according to league estimates, in the next two decades, the United States will spend $ 549,5 billion on this problem.

On the subject: A frightening sight: scientists have shown how a person will look after years of remote work

According to the US Department of Health, less than 5% of Americans do exercise every day for at least half an hour. More than 80% do not fulfill the minimum norm of physical activity (2,5 hours of moderately intense, 1 hour and 15 minutes of intense exercise per week). A typical American diet exceeds the recommended calorie intake in four categories: fats, added sugar, refined grains, sodium and saturated fats, writes "Voice of America".

Beyond money, obesity is also associated with an increased risk of coronavirus infection complications, according to the CDC. In particular, it was noted that people with a body index of 30 or higher are “at increased risk for severe COVID-19.”

Returning to the customized Nutrisystem study: According to him, 45% of Americans tend to eat healthier and be more physically active. 35% are trying to lose weight.

OnePoll conducted a study from June 18 to 22 and interviewed 2000 adults.

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