Weight changes during COVID Shutdown in Older Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: The Look AHEAD Study

OBJECTIVE: (1) Examine weight changes in older adults (mean=76 yrs) with type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity during the COVID-shutdown;(2) Compare the behavioral and psychosocial effects of the shutdown in those who had large weight losses (>5%);small weight losses (2-5%), remained weight stable (±2%) or gained weight (>2%). METHODS: Look AHEAD participants (N=2544) were surveyed during the COVID shutdown (2020) and self-reported their current weight, reasons for weight change, weight-related behaviors, psychosocial measures, and negative and positive effects of the pandemic on their lives. RESULTS: Comparing self-reported weight during COVID shutdown to earlier measured weight, Look AHEAD participants lost on average 2.2 kg during the COVID shutdown;47% lost >2% and only 18% gained >2%, p<.0001. Decreases in physical activity and increases in screen time were reported frequently in all weight change categories. Similarly, there were few differences among the categories on standardized psychosocial measures or self-reported effects of the shutdown on their lives. However, when differences were seen, the most negative impact was in those who gained weight. CONCLUSIONS: Although weight loss appeared more common than weight gain during the shutdown, the weight change groups did not differ on most psychosocial and behavioral variables. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.