Australia tops global survey in alcohol drank during COVID-19, while 35 per cent gained weight

A global survey has listed Australia as the biggest drinkers during COVID-19 while a large number of Aussies also said they gained weight.

Australia tops a list of nations whose citizens admit they have consumed more booze than normal due to COVID-19 restrictions, an international survey has found.

Global market research company Ipsos has conducted an online survey of more than 22,000 people across 30 countries that found 21 per cent of Australians conceded they consumed more alcohol during the pandemic.

The figure is more than double the 10 per cent average of survey respondents from other nations who said they drank more grog.

However. eight per cent of Australians said they drank less.

“Australia topped the world in increased alcohol consumption,” the survey read.

Aussies love their beer, especially during a pandemic.

Several organisations including the Australian National University, Australian Bureau of Statistics and Commonwealth Bank of Australia looked at alcohol consumption changes during COVID-19.

All found that Australians consume more alcohol at various stages of lockdown in 2020, while CBA’s consumer card spending data also detected increased spending on alcohol purchases compared with similar periods in 2019.

The Australian Drug and Alcohol Foundation noted this was likely due to a need to relieve stress and anxiety during the pandemic as well as boredom, additional free time and fewer daily responsibilities.

Most alcohol consumption has likely occurred at home due to hospitality restrictions.

The Ipsos survey, which also looked at the impact of COVID-19 on diets across the 30 countries surveyed, found 35 per cent of Australians had gained weight during the pandemic.

That is despite Australians knowing there is a potential link between obesity and the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

However, 19 per cent of Australians reported losing weight during the pandemic, which was in line with the global average of 20 per cent.

“The fact that one third of Australians surveyed reported weight gain during the pandemic isn’t surprising,” Ipsos Australia director David Elliott said.

“Anecdotally, we have heard lots of stories and discussion about weight gain – a quick flick through your social media account and friends’ feeds showed stories of weight gain and support for those reporting it.”