[Influence of Remote Work Imposed by COVID-19 Lockdowns on Weight Gain in Adults Across 21 Ibero-American Countries]

To determine the association between weight gain (WG) and teleworking in 21 Ibero-American countries and to examine the effect WG on sex, age, physical activity (PA), ways of working (WW), mood (M), and eating habits.

Cross-sectional study, non-probability sampling in 21 Ibero-American countries. A biodemographic, eating, PA, M, and WW were obtained. The association between WG and the explanatory variables was studied by bivariate and multivariate analysis.

9,698 volunteers, 65.2% women, 34.2% with age from 25 to 34, BMI mean(sd) 26.0 (5.1) kg/m2, WG prevalence: 28.3%, greater prevalence of WG in: women (28.9%); reduced PA (42.6%); lack of positive mood (33.2%); increased the number of meals (54.0%); increased the number of meals and the amount of food (63.7%); increase in consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods (UP), and reduction in non-processed, foods (75.1%). There was no significant link between WG and WW.

WG was greater in women. Positive association between WG and reduction in PA, increase in number of meals, amount of food, processed and UP foods, and lack of positive moods.