Was the COVID-19 lockdown wicked on your waistline? Well, you’re not alone.
A recently released cross-sectional study has highlighted the eating habits adopted by Americans during quarantine.
Researchers from the University of Florida (UF) conducted a food study that exposed some of the unhealthy eating habits that Americans adopted during the first three months of mandated quarantines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sinful sweet and salty snacking
After conducting an online survey with over 3,000 people across the country from April to June 2020, the research team led by UF professor of dietetics, Jeanette Mary Andrade, found that:
- 43.8% of survey respondents reported eating more sweet snacks.
- 37.4% of survey respondents reported eating more salty snacks.
According to Andrade, various factors could have contributed to the increase in poor eating habits. These include working from home, worrying about elderly or ill family members, losing motivation to exercise and having limited access to healthy foods due to lack of supply in stores or tight budgets.
Don’t make the same mistake
Coupled with a lack of exercise, these unhealthy eating habits are the likely cause of the unwanted lockdown weight gain.
So, as we navigate our way through the next phase of level 3 restrictions, make sure you kick those nasty diet mistakes to the curb.
Author: Pedro van Gaalen
When he’s not writing about sport or health and fitness, Pedro is probably out training for his next marathon or ultra-marathon. He’s worked as a fitness professional and as a marketing and comms expert. He now combines his passions in his role as managing editor at Fitness magazine.
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