Before you reach for that comfort food, consider that Quarantine 15. It’s real and it could be hard to shake. Three-quarters of Americans say they have experienced quarantine-related weight gain.

“We have all changed our routines in the last six to eight months,” says Dr. Darren Tishler, director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at Hartford HealthCare. “Because we are at home so much, and our social patterns have changed, it’s led to a lot of stress and anxiety and sometimes even a feeling of hopelessness. That, along with the lack of activity, can certainly lead to weight gain.”

Obesity has been described as an American health crisis. It can affect many aspects of your life both physically and emotionally. The good news is, it is preventable and treatable.

In this episode of our “More Life” podcast series (see below), Dr. Tishler talks about:

  • Defining obesity.
  • Genetic and cultural dispositions to obesity.
  • The social stigma often attached to being overweight.
  • How to avoid the pitfalls of quarantine weight gain.
  • Lifestyle changes and long-term solutions that can change your life.