COVID-19 lockdown worsen obesity, diabetes and blood pressure problem

Lockdowns implemented across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively impacted diet, sleep and physical activity among people with obesity, diabetes and blood pressure problem.

Mumbai: New studies have shown that it is not just the Coronavirus people should be afraid of, but eating, lifestyle and conditions imposed by confinement also matters. Along with obesity comes diabetes and blood pressure are a real risk that increases comorbidity deaths due to Coronavirus.

People are sitting at home for more than 100 days due to Coronavirus led lockdown. People are staying indoors to protect themselves from the virus but now it is proving to be costly for many.

For the past three months, many have lost their habit to walk and other physical activities. As a result, obesity is on the rise mainly amongst women, children and senior citizens.

Staying at home is the simplest and easiest solution to prevent Coronavirus. That's why the lockdown was imposed across the country. Since the lockdown, a large number of people, including women, children and senior citizens, have been at home.

A lot of working professionals have been working from home as well. Walking has stopped as people have to stay at home. Physical activity, on the other hand, decreased by more than two hours per week, and the number of vegetables consumed remained unchanged. Consumption of junk food like Pizza, Pani Puri and other Oily food items is on the rise.

Apart from that, activities are almost nil. As a result, the number of obese patients has increased in the last month.

As per a presentation made by Kiran Rukdikar, the weight of women and senior citizens has increased by 4 to 10 kg. The weight of the children has increased by 4 to 6 kg.

"In addition to this, the risk of other diseases is on the rise due to obesity. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, this disease is increasing. People who do not have diabetes or high blood pressure are more likely to suffer from obesity," added Rukdikar.

If obesity is left unmanaged, it can create other health issues. So now it is necessary to watch what is being consumed and also control on eating oily food items. Instead, fruits and vegetables should be included in one's diet. It is important to do exercises that can be done at home, even if it is not possible to go out due to the fear of Corona. Doctors are advising people to walk home.

Work from home is becoming more expensive for many as obesity and other ailments are on the rise while being at home.

"After sitting for several hours, now the complaints of back pain have increased'," said Rukdikar.

This lifestyle can aggravate back issues. On the other hand, the problem of joint pain among senior citizens is on the rise. On the whole, citizens are caught up in the double worries of going out and fearing corona and staying at home. So the big challenge now is to stay at home and take care of your health.