COVID-19: OBESITY RELATED TO PHYSICAL INACTIVITY DUE TO LOCKDOWN SITUATION.

Abstract

Due to rapid outburst of COVID-19 pandemic, governments of many countries have underwent drastic changes to fight its spread by measures such as social distancing, and lockdowns. These strategies of government are mainly aiming to reduce outdoor activities and gatherings which in turn has led to detrimental consequences on physical, social and mental health of an individuals. As reduced levels of activity is causing obesity and its linked metabolic diseases including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, sleep apnea, mood and reproductive disorders. Due to confinement of people to their homes in accordance with the SOPs to curb COVID, more and more people are being inactive and moving more towards sedentary lifestyle compared to physically active lifestyle.

Obesity that is atypical fat deposition was found to be more profound during virus epidemic in people with higher BMI¹. However, obesity during this lockdown was associated with overeating 43% and more common snacking 52% ² and adverse modifications in physical activities with less time spending in household chores, leisureliness spell, and leisureliness-time walking of modest-vigorous intensity with substantial intensification in screen time and nap time³. Further, this lockdown situation has caused restricted access to gym and fitness centers