Hundreds of thousands of people have put on weight during the coronavirus lockdown, a new poll indicates, despite a British government drive to cut down national obesity.
Almost 450,000 users of the Covid Symptom Study app increased their weight during lockdown, accounting for 29 per cent of those taking part in the study.
Prof Tim Spector, a lead researcher who helped to set up the app, said UK’s obesity problem had been worsened by strict lockdown.
Of 1.6 million people who responded to a questionnaire about behavioural changes during lockdown, 34 per cent decreased their exercise and 35 per cent said they had increased snacking.
Nineteen per cent were eating less healthily than before and 27 per cent were drinking more alcohol.
On average, the survey found that people were 0.78 kilograms heavier since the outbreak began.
Britain first went into strict lockdown in mid-March, before easing measures from late May.
On November 2, it returned to lockdown for at least a month after coronavirus cases soared.
The public are advised to stay at home except for exercise, medical reasons or shopping for essential goods.
Recent studies have shown that being overweight can dramatically increase the risk of admission to hospital and death due to Covid-19.
“Typically people snack to or three times a day and this accounts for 22 per cent of total energy intake," said Sarah Berry, associate professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at King’s College London.
Dr Berry is also the principal scientist advising Zoe, the healthcare company behind the app.
“The increase in snacking during lockdown, especially with unhealthy, highly processed foods is likely to be a contributing factor in our observed weight gain of the UK population,” she said.
“Replacing unhealthy snacks with healthy snacks and limiting late-night snacking, is a simple dietary strategy to improve health.
"But we shouldn’t use these findings to shame people about their weight, especially during these difficult times.
"Instead, we should focus our efforts to help everyone lead healthy lifestyles that are sustainable.”
Prof Spector said it was important the British public understood the effects that lockdown might have on their long-term health.
“If we don’t act now, this will create even more heart disease, diabetes and cancer, leading to even larger medical and social bills for the country,” he said.
The government plans to introduce a total ban on online junk food advertising, but Prof Spector said that “isn’t going nearly far enough”.
“We need tougher measures like extending sugar taxes to junk food and subsidising fresh fruit and vegetables," he said.
"With these and much better public education, we have the opportunity to have a real impact on health in the UK.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has blamed his own obesity for his near brush with death, when he contracted Covid-19 in April.
In July, he formally launched his government's initiative to reduce obesity levels.
One in every four British adults is obese, while one in every five children aged 10 to 11 in the UK are very overweight, National Health Service data shows.
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
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Porsche Macan T: The Specs
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2. Arnaud Demare (France / FDJ) 38
3. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) 25
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Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
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Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
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Sugary teas and iced coffees
The tax authority is yet to release a list of the taxed products, but it appears likely that sugary iced teas and cold coffees will be hit.
For instance, the non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Cold coffee brands are likely to be hit too. Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
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