Nearly half of adults in England have put on weight since the beginning of the pandemic.
The average amount of weight gained since last March was half a stone, according to the survey of 5,000 adults by Public Health England.
Restrictions imposed under the first lockdown last March encouraged people to stay at home, apart from essential reasons like exercising once a day.
Vulnerable people were told to isolate for the best part of the pandemic and gyms were also repeatedly shut through various waves of the crisis.
PHE said lockdowns had caused a rise in unhealthy habits such as snacking and comfort eating, likely through boredom or worry.
Overall, those who put on weight gained an average of 9lbs (4.1kg), but one in five picked up a stone or more in weight.
And in those aged between 35 and 65, the average weight gain jumped to 10lbs (4.6kg).
While the lockdowns curbed the spread of Covid, PHE said they took a toll on the nations' wider health.
A study by Public Health England found 41 per cent of Brits put on weight during lockdown, with the average gain being half a stone. But 21 per cent of those who put on weight gained a stone or more since last March
PHE are encouraging people to eat better and get active in a bid to shed some pounds
The research - which will be published in full in two weeks - shows 89 per cent of people who gained weight since last March want to introduce healthier habits.
The findings
