How has the Corona pandemic changed the dietary and exercise behavior of adults and thus also their weight? This question was investigated by the Else Kröner Fresenius Endowment Professorship (EKFZ) headed by Prof. Dr. Hans Hauner and the Chair of Preventive Pediatrics of Prof. Dr. Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz as part of a comprehensive current study funded by the Else Kröner Fresenius Foundation. According to the study, around 40 percent of respondents have gained weight since the start of the pandemic. Slightly more than half are also exercising less than before the Corona crisis.
The results of the study, which were presented at a joint online press conference, generated widespread media coverage. For example, the print media Süddeutsche Zeitung, Abendzeitung, Münchner Merkur, tz, Berliner Zeitung, Die Welt, Hamburger Abendblatt, Hamburger Morgenpost, Handelsblatt, Neue Zürcher Zeitung or Passauer Neue Presse reported on it. Bayerischer Rundfunk, MDR, FOCUS Online, Ärzteblatt, Apotheken-Umschau, Bild der Frau, MSN UK and the Swiss news portal "nau.ch" also addressed the topic on their online platforms.
In addition, a large number of TV stations and radio stations reported on the results of the TUM study, including RTL, Sat.1, ntv, Deutschlandfunk, BR, münchen.TV, Antenne Bayern, B5 aktuell, SR1 or WDR 5.
"Certainly a third of those surveyed used food to cope with stress. Seventy percent said they felt emotionally burdened by the pandemic, and these people were significantly more likely to say they ate more out of boredom or had more desire to eat. Eating sweet-fat combinations in particular is a popular way of dealing with stress," Prof. Hauner said in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung".
"The energy requirement of an adult - depending on age, gender and weight - is between 1,500 and 2,500 kcal per day. The goal when eating must therefore be a good, but not excessive supply of the energy carriers carbohydrates, fats, protein as well as vitamins, minerals and trace elements, i.e. a wholesome diet," the study leader is quoted as saying by "FOCUS Online".
In the TV report of "17:30 Sat.1 Bayern", Prof. Hauner reported on the eating habits of the test persons during the lockdowns: "Some of the respondents stated that they simply ate more, partly out of boredom because there were no other offers left, and partly because they were at home and could easily reach their food supplies. There were also some who may have eaten more than they otherwise would out of fear and frustration."
Prof. Oberhoffer-Fritz was featured as an expert in a live broadcast following the TV report on "17:30 Sat.1 Bayern". Among other things, she spoke with moderator Sabine Arndt about the best way to lose the kilos she had gained: "You should activate yourself again, and with the good temperatures we are currently experiencing, this is certainly better than before. Endurance sports would be the right thing to do now to get rid of the kilos. Walking, hiking, cycling and swimming, when the swimming pools are open again. These are the right sports. Plus some muscle training, because the more muscle we have, the better we burn the calories."
But how can you get the body back out of rest mode after lockdown? Prof. Oberhoffer-Fritz said in the interview: "We have to try to give our lives a certain rhythm again. That means consciously building in half an hour to a whole hour a day in which we are physically active and perhaps arrange to meet someone who needs similar motivation. Moreover, it would be best to report a lot to one's surroundings about what one is up to. Motivation should be set from a goal, for example, I want to get fitter or fit back into last year's dress or pants. It works much better with such concrete goals in mind."
To the „17:30 Sat.1 Bayern“ TV report
To the homepage of the Chair of Preventice Pediatrics
To the homepage of the Else Kröner Fresenius Endowment Professorship
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Hans Hauner
Director of the Else Kröner Fresenius Endowment Professorship
Chair of Nutritional Medicine
Gregor-Mendel-Str. 2
85354 Freising-Weihenstephan
phone: 08161 71 2001
e-mail: ekfz(at)tum.de
Prof. Dr. Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz
Dean Department of Sport and Health Sciences
Chair of Preventive Pediatrics
Georg-Brauchle Ring 60/62
80992 München
phone: 089 289 24601
e-mail: renate.oberhoffer(at)tum.de
Text: Romy Schwaiger
Photos: Pixabay/“17:30 Sat.1 Bayern”