Isolation bellies a heavy concern

AUSTRALIANS could stack on 50 million kilograms in weight as the coronavirus forces people to stay indoors surrounded by processed comfort food. But one doctor says it could be a chance to “regain control” of our health.

Experts have long warned of the dangers of poor diet and sedentary lifestyles with risks of heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis all increasing with just a few extra kilograms of fat.

The social distancing, workfrom-home and stockpiled food arrangements forced on Australia by the COVID-19 pandemic now threaten to make that unavoidable.

University of Sydney leading obesity researcher Nick Fuller said the change in work and personal routines means Australians are spending more time around highly processed and unhealthy foods.

“We often see people reach for packaged food that is high in sugar and fat because they release the feel-good chemicals in the brain,” he said.

“With everyone shifting to work from home we are having a hard time saying no to those favourite foods because they’re around us 24/7.”

Typically, Dr Fuller said, people are not at home all the time so only reach for the chocolate biscuits at the end of a long day — now we cannot get away from them.

He likened the corona lockdown diet to the festive season, where people spend about six weeks at home around the fattening foods.

Over Christmas, Dr Fuller said, people tend to put on 1kg and then spend the rest of the year battling against it with fad diets.

Extrapolating that figure means Australians could put on 2kg each by the time the lockdown is expected to relax in 12 weeks at the end of June. That’s almost 50 million kilos across the entire population.

The “stay indoors” mantra of the COVID-era also means gym sessions are a thing of the past, but Dr Fuller said it’s “incremental activity” that people do not even realise they’re missing — walking to the office, catching public transport, pottering around the shops and so on.

“When you take that out, when your day starts at home and ends at home, you need to find other ways to incorporate movement,” he said.

Fitness instructor Ina Passler from Surry Hill’s Cycology Club said it was vital to keep physically active during the lockdown.

“I think right now it is more important than ever,” she said.

“People aren’t having their usual walks ... and movement during the day, it is more important to be aware of your fitness and health.”

She said small home workouts were a good replacement for normal activity and said it was important to eat healthily, but people also needed to cut themselves some slack.

“I think right now we have to be not so harsh with ourselves because it is a tough time,” she said.