Gallup survey shows alarming drop in mental and physical health among Americans after COVID

COVID-According to a new Gallup poll, 19 and remote work have had a huge detrimental influence on Americans’ health and fitness, notably in how eating habits “eroded substantially” and weight gain exponentially rose.

According to the paper, “much of the recent increase in obesity may be associated with modified health behaviors resulting from the pandemic,” referencing the work-from-home period.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 states will have at least 35% of their adult population obese by 2022.

In 2021, there were just 19 states with that number.

Gallup revealed that an estimated 38.4% of Americans are obese, up 6% from 2019 and on level with a record high 39.% observed last year, according to a survey conducted in August and September.

Diabetes rates have also risen by 1.1% during 2019, hitting a record high of 13.6% overall.

Obesity rates increased by 8.2% and 6.1%, respectively, in the age categories 45 to 64 and 30 to 44.

In addition to the weight gain statistics, the CDC discovered that roughly one in every five Americans is suffering from post-pandemic sadness.

According to Gallup data, proper diet dropped as well. Adults who ate healthily fell 5% from 51.7% to 46.7% since 2019. Again, the 30-44 age group witnessed the most dramatic reduction, dropping 9.2% from 44.5% to 33.5%.

Produce intake fell even further, with only 42% of respondents reporting eating at least five servings of fruits or vegetables in the previous four days.

In 2019, the figure was 49.9%.

Vegetable intake decreased across all age categories. Ages 45 to 64 fell from 50.5% to 40%, while 30 to 44 dropped 8.5% from 47.8% to 39.3%.

There were no notable drops in any category among those under the age of 30.

High cholesterol was reported 3.3% higher at 25.1%, but other health-related searches, including those about simply feeling good about oneself, “are all down significantly,” according to the study.

The self-esteem question dropped from 37.6% to 28.3%.

“Eating habits nationally have eroded substantially since 2019, underscoring an urgency for communities, organizations and government agencies alike to reinvigorate healthy eating priorities,” the authors of the report said.

“These can include making healthy eating options easier by adding healthier choices to restaurant menus, business cafeterias and school lunchrooms, as well as moving health food markets to the front of grocery stores.”

Gallup also linked these bad behaviors to economic consequences, indicating that people who don’t feel good about themselves are more likely to avoid public places and hence spend less money.

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