Weight changes during the COVID-19 home confinement. Effects on psychosocial variables.

INTRODUCTION: The goal was to assess individuals' weight changes and their connections with depressive symptoms, optimism and physical activity. METHOD: 4379 Spanish citizens, 16-84 years, participated. RESULTS: Most participants declared no weight changes. Males, young and obese individuals had greater weight variability. Depressive symptoms were linked to larger weight changes. Optimism and MVPA followed a descending pattern from ≥-3 kg. MVPA minutes/week and fulfilling physical activity recommendations were inversely associated to weight changes. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 confinement impacted individuals' weight, expanding depreobesity to include weight loss. Optimism and physical activity seemed to be "protective elements".