Tackling obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic

INFLUENCE OF THERAPEUTIC GYMNASTICS ON BODY WEIGHT COMPOSITION, ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF WOMEN WITH OBESITY IN THE CONDITIONS OF QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

OBJECTIVE

The aim: To determine the effectiveness of application of special therapeutic physical exercises to improve the indicators of body weight, anthropometric parameters and quality of life of obese women in the conditions of quarantine restrictions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: We examined 10 women aged 37 ± 5 years with obesity of various degrees, which was determined by the body mass index (BMI, kg/m2). All women for two months were involved in specially designed therapeutic exercises in the remote mode. Evaluation of the effectiveness of therapeu¬tic exercises use was performed using the survey method to determine the quality of life of obese women according to a short version of the questionnaire "The world health organization quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF)"; anthropometric measurements of body parts sizes; bioimpedance analysis of body weight composition; statistical methods of data processing.

RESULTS

Results: The effect of therapeutic gymnastics according to the proposed programme on the component composition of body weight of obese women was proved, which indicates a decrease in total body weight, reduction of body fat, increase in total body water and muscle component of body weight. It is shown that under the influence of corrective physical exercises the proportions of the body of women changed, as evidenced by the dynamics of the circumferences of all measured parts of the body of obese women. The improvement of women's quality of life in all indicators was identified.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: The use of special complexes of physical exercises, aimed at correction of the body weight of obese women,showed its significant effectiveness and led to the expected result.

Noor N, Mat Ludin AF, Shahar S, Abdul Manaf MR. The Challenges and Strategies towards Healthy Eating during COVID-19 Home Confinement Period among Working Adults with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 Enrolled in a Weight Loss Program: Qualitative Findings

The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting our lifestyles, such as work, living, and health. In Malaysia, the Restriction of Movement Order (RMO) was first announced in March 2020 to curb the spread of the virus. Since then, many Malaysians have been confined to their own home. This new lifestyle can cause a change of eating habits where healthy eating may be a challenge. Hence, our qualitative study explored the challenges and strategies for healthy eating during the first wave of the COVID-19 home confinement period among working adults overweight and obese in Malaysia. Eleven participants were individually interviewed through phone calls. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then coded with NVIVO 12 based on thematic analysis. We found that social pressure, changes in the social setting, more free time to access food, and extra stock of unhealthy foods at home were among the challenges to healthy eating. Some participants countered these perceived challenges by reducing unhealthy food stock, limiting kitchen visits, and utilizing self-monitoring apps to monitor their calorie intake. Social media was not consistently perceived to influence their eating behavior during this period. We conclude that COVID-19 home confinement has created challenges to healthy eating habits among overweight and obese adults with overweight and obesity. Our study provides evidence that vulnerable groups such as overweight and obese individuals require specific nutritional support during pandemic-related confinement to enhance eating self-efficacy.