Determinants of body weight changes during COVID-19 pandemic in older urban residents.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic is related with unfavourable body weight changes. However, little is known on the changes in older individuals, a particularly vulnerable group with limited access both for direct and on-line research. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were 1) to assess changes in body weight and determinants of these changes, 2) to assess prevalence of history of COVID-19 and its impact on changes in body weight in older individuals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The analysis included 2,076 residents of Krakow, aged 60-84 years. Data on sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, history of COVID-19 and changes in body weight were collected in 2021-2022 by postal survey. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS: COVID-19 testing was done in 29.3% of participants, of which one in three was positive; 14.3% of participants had any history of COVID-19. Almost 2/3 of the study participants declared no change in body weight during the pandemic, 26.2% gained weight. Weight gain was associated with unfavourable sociodemographic and lifestyle traits. Weight loss was reported by 11.3% participants, and it was associated with poor perceived health and a history of COVID-19. Controlling for covariates, history of COVID-19 was associated with about 4 times higher odds of weight loss in any case (OR= 2.69; 95%CI=1.59-4.57 for non-hospitalized cases, and OR=18.96; 95%CI 5.64- 63.73 for hospitalized cases). CONCLUSIONS: Most people who changed their body weight gained weight in relation with unfavourable lifestyle change, but the history of COVID-19, especially hospitalization was a strong determinant of body weight loss.