More than 40 per cent of adults in England have gained weight since the first lockdown in March 2020, according to a 2021 Public Health England survey. The research found that people gained more than half a stone on average, but one in five put on a stone or more. For those aged between 35 to 65, the average weight gain was more than 10lbs.
Separate NHS research found that people seeking help to lose weight during the pandemic were 5lb heavier on average than those starting a health service weight loss programme in the previous three years.
