'Quarantine 15’: Is there truth behind the stigma?

The Vancouver Clinic’s health services are partnered with WSU Vancouver’s Student Wellness Center, but students can also visit their physical location which resides in Salmon Creek. (David Priymak / The VanCougar) Tessa Hensley | Reporter While a majority of people have been staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participation in physical activities has become a downward trend. The recently coined “Quarantine 15” phrase associated with COVID-19 has emerged as a way to describe significant weight gain occurring as a consequence of the pandemic. Students and health officials considered the hazardous effects that surround the phenomenon and shared their thoughts on how one can stay both physically and mentally healthy while addressing the stigma.

Registered Nurse Deanna Hillstrom is head of staff in the medical affairs department for The Vancouver Clinic, and gives professional medical advice to the Vancouver community. When asked to comment on her knowledge of the “Quarantine 15” phenomenon, Hillstrom said she has seen patients who have experienced weight gain during the pandemic.

“Based on what I have seen, there has been some weight gain among patients. A few feed into it, anxiety [and] fear of the unknown. There are not as many restaurants, so people use the drive-thru,” Hillstrom explained.

Since a large portion of people have had to work remotely, Hillstrom explained there are more opportunities to gain weight because people at home tend to eat extra snacks during the day. Regarding issues associated with weight gain, she said there are quite a few serious health concerns to be aware of, including long-term diabetes, blood pressure issues, heart diseases and obesity.

Kate Rowland, a senior majoring in humanities, with a concentration in English and political science, worked during the stay-at-home order. Rowland said she worked roughly 40 to 60 hours per week and accredits this as to why her weight did not change, though she does believe that “Quarantine 15” is not something to be ignored.

“I think everyone should be mindful of their weight and size because there are numerous health issues when a person’s weight is considered obese, such as diabetes, cholesterol issues, heart attacks and difficulty with mobility,” Rowland said.

When addressing the terminology referring to weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic, senior and psychology major at WSU Vancouver, Savannah Andrews, is not a fan of calling weight gain the “Quarantine-15.” Andrews belongs to the Health at Every Size Movement, an organization that originally began in 2003. The movement advocates for the end of weight discrimination and promoting acceptance for all body sizes.

“[It] emphasizes that health is maintained by behaviors rather than weights, sizes and shapes. Weight is not an accurate measurement of health and making a distinction between who is healthy and who is unhealthy based on that number exacerbates the struggles of those with eating disorders,” Andrews explained. “I understand that everyone has their own perspective on this topic, [but] I am just trying to do what is best for me.”

Staying healthy during the pandemic can be both physically and mentally challenging, but finding activities you enjoy can be a helpful tool in the process. To learn more about resources on how to cope with stress and maintain a healthy balanced life during the ongoing pandemic, visit the Coping with Stress page on the CDC’s website.