Survey: 71 million people in U.S. have gained weight during pandemic
If you’re suffering from the quarantine 15, you’re not alone, according to a survey released Tuesday by the biotechnology company Gelesis.
The survey found 71 million Americans have gained weight during the COVID-19 pandemic and 52% of respondents have felt down about the way they look during the pandemic.
About 41% of respondents can’t fit into their favorite clothes, 63% find it hard to keep a healthy lifestyle and 46% don’t feeling like themselves.
Other findings include 50% being less motivated, 41% more stressed, 36% more sad and 33% more anxious.
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“In a year when we’ve all already given up so much, our data shows that people would give up even more if it meant being able to lose weight by the end of the year,” said Elaine Chiquette, Gelesis chief scientific officer.
Facing increasing weight and decreasing mental health, Americans are desperate to shed the extra pounds.
Nearly three in five Americans are trying to lose weight. Among those, 22% would give up sex for the year and 17% would give up their favorite streaming service to lose 10 pounds. A whopping 40 million would give up social media.
Despite the widespread weight gain, the COVID-19 pandemic has also driven many Americans to make healthier lifestyle choices, even though most say it has been harder.
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About 64% of respondents said they have been more motivated to develop healthy eating habits in the last six months and over 50% have said they have been cooking at home more often and drinking more water.
However, only 31% have been more active and 29% have worked out more frequently in the last six months.
But as Americans prepare to put the tumultuous year of 2020 behind them, they are hopeful for the future. The survey found 60% of respondents want to feel healthier and 51% want to lose weight next year.
“In 2021 the hopes of Americans outweigh their worries,” Chiquette said. “Millions are ready to kick off the new year and make changes, including losing weight.”