Obesity and Sedentary Lifestyle: The Villains of Quarantine

There is much talk at this moment about the coronavirus (Covid-19), due to all the challenges this disease poses to healthcare systems worldwide. However, it is important to pay attention to a factor with high prevalence in most countries, which may have a significant relationship with the more severe forms of coronavirus infection: obesity. In Brazil, it affects one in five inhabitants, with more than half of the population being overweight.

The physical educator Leandro Laeber, from Academia Hangar, emphasizes that in addition to the risks of complications for those affected by the virus, as warned by specialists, there is also a trend that is already being observed of increased sedentary behavior. “Even with the restrictions caused by the need for quarantine during this period, it is essential to keep the body moving by practicing some activities. Besides strengthening the immune system and increasing leukocytes – which are the white blood cells that defend the body – regular physical exercise also helps to reduce stress and improve sleep quality,” he points out.

The professionals' guidance is to simply look for an activity option that best suits your profile. Jumping rope or doing jumping jacks, sit-ups, and squats are among the suggestions, which can still be complemented by using bags of rice, beans, and PET bottles or cleaning product containers as weights. “It is possible to follow classes online, through live sessions on Instagram or videos on YouTube as well. There are various possibilities, but it is only interesting to pay attention if you feel pain or discomfort in any movement. In this case, one should moderate or change the type of physical activity,” he advises.

During this pandemic period, there has also been an observed increase in the demand for non-perishable products, such as processed foods, at the expense of fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Nutritionist Fernanda Pignaton advises that foods with high nutritional density and rich in vitamins and minerals help to keep the body more energized.

“As some people do not feel motivated to exercise at this moment, the excessive consumption of fast food or low-nutritional-value foods can contribute to weight gain and the development of other diseases. And thus one thing drives the other: poor nutrition and lack of motivation to move, even at home,” she relates.