Obesity, daily life restrictions, and health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea

TL;DR

This study found that during the pandemic, people with obesity in Korea experienced more daily life restrictions and unhealthy behaviors like reduced physical activity and increased fast food consumption.

Contribution

The study reveals a progressive link between obesity severity and worsening health behaviors during the pandemic in Korea.

Findings

Daily life restrictions increased with obesity severity in men.

Both men and women with obesity reported decreased physical activity and increased fast food consumption.

The associations between obesity and unhealthy behaviors were statistically significant.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led to implementation of social distancing policies, possibly affecting lifestyle changes and restricting daily life. This study aimed to investigate the association between health behaviors or restrictions and obesity.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with Korean adults (≥19 years) from the 2020 and 2021 Korean Community Health Surveys. Considering the guidelines for Korean obesity population, participants were grouped by body mass index (BMI): underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), obesity I (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2), and obesity II (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Health behavior changes and daily life restrictions were measured using a self-report questionnaire.

Among men, daily life restrictions increased in obesity I (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.07–1.13) and obesity II (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04–1.17) compared to the normal weight group. Decreased physical activity and increased fast food consumption tended to increase with obesity grade (p < 0.001). Among women, decreased physical activity was associated with both obesity I (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.11–1.17) and obesity II (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.12–1.28). Increased fast food consumption were also associated with obesity I (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.07–1.17) and obesity II (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.13–1.35). Both factors tended to increase with obesity grade (p < 0.001).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the self-reported restrictions on daily life and unhealthy behaviors have progressively increased among people with obesity, depending on the severity of their obesity. Therefore, it is necessary to reinforce obesity prevention and management, particularly in vulnerable populations.

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