Weight gain due to the Home Office, and Lockdown: against taxes, So you
If you have been on the increase since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, some pounds, take comfort: you are not alone. Thus, the additional pounds will not lead to health problems, we should as quickly as possible against tax. Dr. Donald Hensrud, an expert on “Healthy Living” at the Mayo Clinic, reveals how and explains the medical and psychological backgrounds.
Causes: Less motion, more calories
Due to the limitations of the Corona pandemic, most of us are significantly more likely to at home than usual. Home Office, closed gyms, fewer opportunities for active leisure time: Many of us presently spend significantly more time on the Sofa. The normal movement in everyday life, however, slowed down considerably.
In an Interview with the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Donald Hensrud explains the consequences: because of the reduced movement of the calorie consumption is reduced; at the same time, many people increase still your calorie intake.
A factor that most of the estimate in relation to the consumption of calories significantly lower, according to Dr. Hensrud of the lack of physical activity through everyday activities: “Even if we have a Desk job, we need to run at least to the car to get to work. We can do in the meantime-way to the foot; we can go to lunch.“
And he summarizes: “If we spend time at home, it may be that we will burn through this low activity overall, less calories.”
The change in shopping behavior during the pandemic may also contribute to weight gain. Many people are less likely to be shopping, in order to reduce the contact to the other, and thus the risk of Infection. Thus, they rely more on long-lasting foods: According to Dr. Hensrud, these are often calories-rich and less healthy.
Fresh, vitamin-rich products such as fruits and vegetables not currently consumed instead of many people less, because they are so durable.
In addition, it often has a psychological component, if we increase. So Stress and boredom, for example, can lead to the fact that we often resort to unhealthy foods with a higher calorie content. The logical consequence: weight gain.
The health effects of weight gain
For most normal weight people gain weight during the Corona pandemic is likely to be only temporary and not a serious health impact. However, you should be careful that the unhealthy behaviour is not permanently creep and Obesity in the long term, and associated health problems.
Dr. Donald Hensrud emphasized that for people suffering from Diabetes or hypertension, even a relatively small increase in weight is quite an important difference can represent. Both diseases could deteriorate already, if one increases only a few pounds. Here, caution is of the essence, and the extra pounds as soon as possible removed.
Especially dangerous weight gain for children. For this it is extremely important that unhealthy habits such as poor diet and lack of exercise sneak up on you in the first place, incl. Otherwise there is the risk that you will maintain this into adulthood would be.
In the case of children, for example, have shown that the weight in Childhood, leaving behind to a certain degree tracks in adulthood. If children habits unhealthy habits and a lack of healthy habits, as well as an increase in weight develop, this could also in youth and adult age to stop, says Dr. Hensrud.
So you are against taxes
The antidotes are the same, the promise, if you are Overweight, even outside of pandemics, the greatest success: With a healthy, low-calorie diet and plenty of exercise, the excess pounds the best way to again get a grip.
In addition, it can be helpful to learn a healthier way of dealing with Stress-producing emotions like fear or boredom, instead of the distraction to Chips and chocolate. If you compensate for, often with food, it is worth to tackle.
New habits to establish
Dr. Donald Hensrud stresses that the introduction of new habits is the key to a healthy weight. The faster we have to endure the unhealthy habits, such as little exercise and a lot of unhealthy food again drop, the sooner it can strengthen the new habits and lead to positive results.
According to Hensrud, even small changes can have a big effect. Also a pleasure not to have to do without it. So even “comfort food”, i.e. food that nourishes as a priority, our soul must be, with the right preparation unhealthy. Even Pizza can be healthy, if you, for example, uses fresh ingredients.
Also important is the proper planning and the willingness to eat again to prepare, according to Hensrud: “Invest a bit of time. Planning is a real key if you plan ahead and not at the last Moment after some attacks. Try to improve your culinary skills and cook a bit more.“ So the crisis could be even the Chance to establish new, healthy habits.
Learn more
If you want to learn more about the origins and health risks of being Overweight, you will find in our article “Obesity: myths and facts” for more information.
On the negative effects of lack of exercise, you informed our article “lack of movement – consequences, causes, and symptoms”.
As you can motion-active and your diet healthier design, you will learn in our Reports on exercise and nutrition.
Since Stress can also be on the development of Obesity involved, it’s worth a look in the article, “stress relief: de-Stress made easy”. This explains how you are the target of Stress can approach. (kh)