The corona measures decided by the federal government and the federal states succeed in flattening the curve of new corona infections, but the restrictions harbor other risks to health – with long-term consequences in some cases.
19 percent have already gained weight
38 percent of adults in Germany move less because of this, 19 percent have already gained weight as a result of their changed habits. This was the result of a survey by the polling institute YouGov. Accordingly, only 12 percent of those surveyed are on the move more than before, 8 percent have lost weight because of the corona measures.
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Psyche suffers from a lack of exercise
Experts strongly warn of the possible consequences of weight gain and lack of exercise due to mobility restrictions. “Lack of exercise not only promotes the development of overweight, but also reduces physical fitness, coordination and mobility,” said Heidrun Thaiss, head of the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA).
“In addition, the psyche also suffers from a lack of exercise.” If the limit of a body mass index is exceeded 25, the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular or joint diseases increases with an increase in body fat. “The older a person is, the more difficult it will be to lose weight in the medium term.”
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There are also positive consequences of the corona measures
But there are also positive consequences of the corona measures for health: in many families there is now more time for healthy meals. And some people are rediscovering their own kitchen in the face of closed restaurants: bread is baked themselves, recipes from the Internet are booming. In the survey, only 13 percent of adults said they were eating less healthily. In return, 12 percent said to eat healthier in the wake of the corona crisis.
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Confectionery sales have risen since Lockdown
That more is eaten and nibbled than usual, for example because the way to the fridge in the home office is not far, hardly matters, at least according to the respondents of YouGov. Only 15 percent said their food volume had increased, 11 percent even expected to eat less overall as a result of the corona lockdown.
However, there may be a little misjudgment at stake: According to the international confectionery trade association, the sale of confectionery rose during the corona crisis, and a double-digit increase was recorded in March.
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The length of conversations with friends and relatives is decreasing
The length of conversations with friends or relatives, which often took place at visits and other meetings before the measures began, has decreased significantly for many people. Almost a third of the respondents (31 percent) stated that they now spend less time – such as on the phone or with video calls – on such conversations. However, almost a quarter (23 percent) thinks that they can now speak to friends and relatives for longer.
The use of electronic devices has changed dramatically. 39 percent of those surveyed stated that they spent more free time with TV, PC, laptop, game console, smartphone and the like. Only 4 percent sit less in front of the screen in the course of Corona.
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