CSIRO behavioural scientists find pandemic has made us pile on the kilos

Lockdown has not been kind to many Australians, with many reporting a loss of exercise and mental health, but a gain in weight.

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Two in five Australians have piled on the kilos during the pandemic with CSIRO behavioural scientists discovering that diet, exercise and emotional wellbeing have all been negatively impacted during lockdown.

The new study released today looked at the behaviours and feelings of nearly 4000 people who follow the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet and the snapshot is likely to reflect the challenges facing the population as a whole.

The overall finding was that people are worried – concerned as to when life will return to “normal”.

Two in five have gained weight during the lockdown months, 66 per cent admit to exercise dropping off and 41 per cent say their emotional wellbeing has worsened.

Lockdown for most people began in March, so lifestyles have been uprooted for at least 12 weeks.

“According to our research there are clearly concerns around social connectedness, with 90 per cent of respondents feeling that there has been a negative impact on their ability to socialise and celebrate special events. Increased concern about finances and the certainty of the future also featured strongly, as restrictions ease and respondents adjust to a new normal,” CSIRO behavioural scientist and report author Dr Emily Brindal said.

Of the respondents who have gained weight during the COVID-19 outbreak, 61 per cent reported an increase in junk food consumption and 63 per cent reported eating many more snacks. The research also showed that some personality types were finding this time more challenging than others.

“Almost 60 per cent of respondents reported a negative shift in their overall satisfaction with life,” it found.

“This number was noticeably higher for those who were identified as highly extroverted, with this group seeing significant impact from the lack of social interaction.

“Those identified as highly emotional eaters also reported higher decreases in their average wellbeing levels than others,” Dr Brindal said.

The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet has a new online program to now include positive psychology tools with a focus on boosting wellbeing.

Fitness company owner Bec Robertson with her kids Oscar, 7 and Holly, 3 in Stirling. Picture: Matt Loxton

Adelaide Hills woman Bec Robertson owns fitness company The Headspace and Bass Movement with her husband Calum. She runs three times a day and has noticed more people out exercising during social distancing restrictions.

“We’re all about getting outside in the fresh air – it helps clear your head and you have a different perspective on your problems,” she said.

However, Mrs Robertson said she had also recently read about several worrying studies which revealed negative eating and drinking habits were on the rise during lockdown.

Originally published as CSIRO behavioural scientists find pandemic has made us pile on the kilos