The Weighty Truth: Sweatband Study Reveals Startling Figures on UK Residents' Lockdown Weight Gain.
- 78% of those living in the UK say they have gained weight since the first lockdown began
- With an average weight gain of 7lbs, the nation as a whole has gained a whopping 126,076 tonnes
- That’s the equivalent of 2.4 Titanics, 8970 Blue Whales, or 217m Mars bars
- The team at Sweatband.com have also compiled a list of tips to help Brits battle the lockdown weight gain, including making small switches and tracking calories
The team at the sports & fitness equipment specialists www.sweatband.com undertook the research to determine just how lockdown had affected UK residents, their fitness habits and their overall weight. In doing so, the team surveyed more than 2,400 UK adults aged 18+.
It was initially found that fewer than one in three UK respondents (29%) made a conscious effort to work out consistently throughout the lockdowns that have taken place since March 2020; while a further two fifths (42%) started out with good intentions and admitted to giving up as motivation levels dropped.
When asked if they’d gained any weight during lockdown, more than three quarters (78%) confessed to a least a little lockdown weight gain. When asked how much their weight had crept up by, the average was found to be 7lbs.
What’s more, 56% of those who have gained weight admit they are currently the heaviest they’ve ever been.
With an estimated 50,909,098 people over the age of 18 living in the UK, that means those who have gained weight account for a total combined gain of 19,853,548 stone (equivalent to 126,076 tonnes).
That is equivalent to:
- 2.4 Titanics
- 50 Nelson’s Columns
- 60 London Eyes
- 300 International Space Stations
- 970 Blue Whales
- 10,167 double decker London buses
- 23,347 African elephants
- 217,372,414 Mars bars
Maz Darvish, CEO of www.Sweatband.com, commented on the findings:
“Almost all of us have gained a little weight or noticed other changes in ourselves this year, and it’s most definitely not something to beat yourself up about. We’re all in the same boat; we’ve all been stuck at home, having to adapt to a new way of living, so it’s no surprise that motivation levels have dipped. Be sure to watch your weight for health reasons though; too much weight gain can have negative effects.”
Struggling with Lockdown Weight? Sweatband Shares Effective Strategies to Combat the Extra Pounds.
The team at www.Sweatband.com have also compiled the below tips offering advice on how to deal with the lockdown weight gain:
Add a little fruit and veg where you can – every time you have a meal, think about where you can add some goodness. It might be that you have a salad on the side, or that you bulk your meal out with vegetables within it. Feeling like a snack? Reach for an apple or banana instead of a packet of crisps.
Track your calories – by tracking the calories you’re eating each day, you’ll easily be able to see your weak spots and what’s tipping you over the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). You can also look up the calories of a food item before eating it, allowing you to determine if it’s really worth the calories it contains.
Make small switches – choose the stairs over the elevator, walk to the shops instead of driving and have a drink of water before a snack (this will determine if you’re just bored or genuinely hungry).
Eat little and often – if you’re trying to cut down on your calories, consider having smaller meals but more often throughout the day, rather than three decent-sized meals. This will help to keep you feeling fuller for longer and stop you reaching for a sugary snack.
Workout – while they say that your weight management is 80/20 in favour of diet/exercise, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to stay active. Your mood will determine what you do, but there’s an option for all levels of motivation: get creative with various items around the home, take to the streets for a jog or dust off your gym membership and pop indoors.
