On average, each person in Switzerland gained around 3,3 kilograms of weight between 2019 and 2021. The new data adds to health professionals' concerns about the obesity crisis in Europe and Switzerland in particular.

Weight gain accelerated in Switzerland during COVID-19

The study, which was undertaken by SRF, found that those between the ages of 45 and 64 gained the most weight over the two-year period, with each person in this age group gaining an average of 6,7 kg. 

The rate at which people in Switzerland usually gain weight accelerated sharply over the pandemic period, with the previous five years between 2014 and 2019 seeing an average weight gain of only 0,1 kilograms. 

Some of the biggest contributors to this sharp acceleration in weight gain are said to be the rise of “working from home” company policies and ease of access to food while being at home, coupled with reduced exercise due to national and regional lockdown restrictions.

Obesity becoming more prevalent across Europe and the wider world

Obesity has been on the rise for decades across the world, but there are now more concerns than ever about the long-term health effects of being overweight. 

The study highlighted some of the main reasons people think they are overweight, with one of the most important being the cost of healthy food. It’s no secret that Switzerland is not a cheap place to live, with one-quarter of the survey’s respondents going so far as to say that their family simply could not afford to eat healthily in the country. 

The rise in obesity is placing a greater burden on Switzerland's healthcare system, with rising numbers of children and young people also needing treatment for conditions previously not seen in children, such as Type 2 Diabetes.