This Tuesday, April 3, 2018 photo shows a closeup of a beam scale in New York. Obesity is now being more closely examined as a risk factor for COVID-19 (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)AP
Stress-eating amid the coronavirus pandemic has led some people to gain weight, dubbed the “Quarantine 15” or “COVID 10.”
The New York Post reports officials are now telling an entire town in New York to go on a diet because the extra pounds could put them more at risk for COVID-19. Health conditions related to obesity, including diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma, can cause complications with the disease caused by coronavirus.
Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer announced The Health Huntington Initiative on Wednesday, a new voluntary program featuring free online exercise programs, yoga classes and nutritional advice to all 200,000 residents in the Long Island town of Huntington, N.Y.
“As a result of the increased stress we’re seeing a lot of emotional eating … I myself have put on a few pounds,” Spencer said Wednesday. “We have to not let this take control over us … we need to take control of the situation.”
Huntington Clerk Andrew Raia said getting healthier now will increase their chances of survival when a stay-at-home order is lifted and non-essential businesses reopen.
“Set a new lifestyle for yourself, take the necessary steps to turn things around,” Raja told WABC. “Because this virus is going to be with us for some time.”
Huntington Hospital’s Director of Bariatric Surgery Dr. David Buchin said people have gained an average of 15 pounds during the shutdown. Part of it is emotional stress as the crisis weighs heavily on people who are staying at home, eating more and exercising less.
According to the Post, Buchin hopes other towns will follow the initiative to fight obesity.
“I’m hoping that we start off with Huntington and it kind of spreads across the country because it’s a very serious thing,” said Buchin, who will oversee the program.
“COVID-19, you’re twice as likely to have a poor outcome if you’re obese. So it’s very important that we get fit and we get healthier.”
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