Factors associated with perceived weight gain among the adult population of Kazakhstan during the COVID-19 pandemic

Bukharbayeva A. Davis A. Rosenthal S.L. Myrkassymova A. Iskakova Izekenova Izekenova Yerdenova M. Karibayev K. Zhussupov B. Mergenova G.
December 2025 Public Library of Science

PLOS ONE
2025 #20 Issue 12 December

Objective Obesity has been recognized as a major public health problem globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected behavioral patterns and, as a result, the weight gain of people around the world. We aimed to explore factors associated with perceived weight gain among the adult population of Kazakhstan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study using a multi-stage sampling approach was conducted in Kazakhstan in the summer of 2021. We collected socio-demographic characteristics, information about health-related factors, behavioral risk factors, and self-reported weight change during the pandemic. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors related to weight gain during the pandemic. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 Software. Results Among 931 participants, 20.95% (N = 195) of individuals gained weight. In the multivariable regression model, the weight gain was associated with increased snacking (AOR = 3.36, 95% CI: 2.20–5.12, p-value < .0001), decreased physical activity (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.24–2.70, p-value = 0.002), and increased alcohol consumption (AOR = 3.64, 95% CI: 1.72–7.70, p-value < 0.001). We found that older age (≥60 y.o.) was a protective factor for weight gain (AOR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.15–0.62, p-value=0.001). Conclusion One-fifth of adults have gained weight during the COVID-19 pandemic which was associated with potentially modifiable unhealthy behavioral patterns. Our findings highlight that targeted health promotion strategies on global and national levels are needed to emphasize the avoidance of unhealthy behavioral patterns in times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Department of Epidemiology with a course of HIV-infection, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
Department of Biostatistics, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Department of Finance and Accounting, Kenzhegali Sagadiyev University of International Business, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Department of Epidemiology with a course of HIV-infection
School of Social Work
Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry
Department of Biostatistics
Department of Finance and Accounting
Global Health Research Center of Central Asia

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