They called it “the COVID 19.” And they weren’t talking about the name of the virus. That’s how much weight people joked they were gaining during the shutdown.
But the truth is worse than the joke: The American Psychological Association says 42 percent of Americans reported that they gained an average of 29 pounds during the pandemic, far above the pound or two Americans gain in an average year.
"Many of us can relate to that," said McKenzie Mayor, a dietician and coordinator of the UNLV Food Pantry. "We've been locked out of our routines and some of us have gained more positive habits, while others have slipped away."
Mayor said she encourages people to better plan their meals and monitor their consumption of sweets, desserts, alcohol.
"With increased hours of working, especially those who work in healthcare facilities and hospitals, it has not been easy to make time for self-care," she told State of Nevada.
McKenzie Mayor, registered dietitian, coordinator of UNLV Food Pantry
