scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on eating disorder risk and emotional distress among adolescents and young people in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-364
Author(s):  
Helena Vall-Roqué ◽  
Ana Andrés ◽  
Carmina Saldaña

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on emotional distress and disordered eating in a community sample of Spanish youngsters. A total of 2847 participants (95% women; aged 14-35) completed depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and disordered eating measures. Given the small proportion of men and as significant differences were found between genders in several variables, most results were only reported for women. Severe levels of depression, anxiety and stress were found in 30.8%, 25.4% and 20.5% of the sample, respectively. Sleep quality, eating habits, appearance concerns, preoccupation about one’s future, health concerns and other life domains were also affected by lockdown. Younger age, being single, being unemployed, not having contracted COVID-19 or not being sure about it, having a loved one infected or deceased due to coronavirus, and not having a place to relax at home were significantly associated with psychological distress and disordered eating. A structural equation model confirmed the direct influence of lockdown-related variables into psychopathology symptoms. The findings of this study suggest that COVID-19 and its associated lockdown might have a significant effect on psychological wellbeing and eating disturbances.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0250336
Author(s):  
Evelyn Barron Millar ◽  
Divya Singhal ◽  
Padmanabhan Vijayaraghavan ◽  
Shekhar Seshadri ◽  
Eleanor Smith ◽  
...  

It is critical to gain an understanding of the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic and the associated lockdown restrictions on the psychological, social and behavioural functioning of the general public, in order to inform public health promotion and future health service resource allocation. This cross-sectional study, completed during week 1 of lockdown in India, reports on data from 234 participants using an online survey. Data regarding health anxiety, coping mechanisms and locus of control was collected. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the relationship between locus of control, coping mechanisms, health anxiety and age. Age related differences in both locus of control and coping strategies were found. Younger people experienced more health-related anxiety and were more likely to engage with social media as a coping mechanism. Mindfulness-based strategies may reduce health anxiety by increasing tolerance of uncertainty experienced during the COVID 19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manar Abduljalil Bakhsh ◽  
Jomana Khawandanah ◽  
Rouba Khalil Naaman ◽  
Shoug Alashmali

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments around the world to impose strict hygiene and national lockdown measures, which in turn has changed the dietary and lifestyle habits of the world’s population. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate whether dietary and physical activity behaviors of Saudi Arabia’s adult population changed during the COVID-19 quarantine. Methods An electronic questionnaire which assessed changes in body weight, dietary habits, and physical activity of Saudi Arabia’s adult population (n = 2255) during the COVID-19 quarantine was distributed on social media between June and July 2020. To test the differences between changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors in relation to changes in body weight a Chi-square test was used. Results Over 40 and 45% of participants reported eating and snacking more, respectively, which led to weight gain in around 28%. Most participants reported that they consumed home-cooked (73%) and healthy meals (47%), while only 7% reported that they consumed foods from restaurants. Feelings of boredom and emptiness (44%) and the availability of time for preparing meals (40%) were the main reasons for changing dietary habits. Honey (43%) and vitamin C (50%) were the most consumed immune-boosting food and dietary supplement, respectively. COVID-19 also had a negative impact on physical activity, lowering the practice in 52% subjects, which was associated with significant weight gain (p < 0.001). Conclusion Assessing the changes to the population’s dietary habits and physical activity during the lockdown will help predict the outcome of the population’s future health and wellbeing after the pandemic.


2022 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Georges Nohra ◽  
Elissa Naim ◽  
Taghrid Chaaban ◽  
Monique Rothan-Tondeur

Abstract Background Nurses face multiple stressors that can influence their lifestyle, thus affecting their health status. Scarce are the scientific data on the nutritional status of nurses, especially during health crises. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the eating habits of hospital nurses in the context of an exceptional economic situation in Lebanon. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a web-based questionnaire, targeting a non-random sampling of frontline nurses using the snowball technique. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were carried out. The population of the study included all registered nurses working in the Lebanese hospitals. A total of 533 nurses completed the questionnaire; 500 surveys were selected after excluding the ones presenting conditions that may affect their eating behavior. Results The majority of the respondents were women (78.6%) with a mean age of 33 years [18-60] [SD,7.44 years]. Most of them (57.6%) had a crowding index ≥1. The consumption of different food groups decreased during these crises. There was a significant correlation between stress and deterioration of healthy food consumption, which provides beneficial nutrients and minimizes potentially harmful elements, especially for meat (OR 2.388, CI 1.463 to 3.898, P < 0.001). The decrease in monthly income showed a real impact on the consumption of healthy food such as meat (OR 2.181, CI 1.504 to 3.161, P < 001), fruits (OR 1.930, CI 1.289 to 2.888, P = 0.001), and milk and dairy products (OR 1.544, CI 1.039 to 2.295, P = 0.031). Conclusions The pandemic and in particular the economic crisis has changed the consumption of healthy food among hospital nurses in Lebanon. Similar research and support may be extended to include other frontline health care workers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-264
Author(s):  
Ayşe TAŞTEKİN OUYABA

This research is a cross-sectional study. It was conducted with 340 students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University. Data were collected through a questionnaire. T-test, Mann Whitney U, and Chi-square test were used to compare the sociodemographic and internet usage characteristics of the students according to their gender. Data were evaluated with Structural Equation Model. Being a woman is associated with better motivation (β: = -.20, p = 0.000) and health behaviors (β= -.22, p = 0.000). High motivation is associated with better behavioral skills (β= .15, p = 0.005) and better health behaviors (β= .28, p = 0.000). Better health behaviors indicate a decrease in cyber victimization (β= -.11, p = 0.042). It was observed that female students’ sensitivity towards preventing and preventing cyberbullying was higher than male students. Students with a high level of motivation have better behavioral skills and health behaviors. Students with better behavioral skills and health behaviors were less exposed to cyber victimization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-327
Author(s):  
Jalal Maghfour ◽  
Frances Gill ◽  
Justin Olson ◽  
Andrea Murina

Introduction: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are interrelated chronic inflammatory disorders that can be exacerbated by stress. The impact of housing instability on severity of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has not been examined.Methods: An eight-question survey was administered to 59 psoriasis participants, with and without PsA, to assess participants' housing status. The severity of psoriasis and PsA diseases was assessed using Body Surface Area (BSA) and clinical Disease Activity Index of Psoriatic Arthritis (cDAPSA) measurements respectively. A multivariate linear regression model was used to predict BSA and cDAPSA scores differences among participants.Results: Housing unstable psoriasis participants had a higher average BSA than housing stable psoriasis participants (14% vs 7.1%). Using a regression equation model, housing status and smoking were significant predictors (p<0.04). Housing unstable PsA participants [13 (33%)] were also found to have a higher average cDAPSA than housing-stable psA participants [26 (66%)] (31 vs 16.7).  Housing instability was the only variable to predict differences in cDAPSA scores among PsA participants (p=0.021). Housing unstable participants had a higher BSA even on biologics (21.3% vs 1.65%; P < 0.001), oral therapy (14.6% vs 4 %; P<0.001) and phototherapy (10% vs 4%; P=0.031).Discussion: This study demonstrated that housing instability might be associated with an increased severity of psoriasis and PsA. Housing instability, as a psychosocial stressor, could be an important element to consider in the management of psoriasis patients.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3213
Author(s):  
Addi Rhode Navarro-Cruz ◽  
Ashuin Kammar-García ◽  
Javier Mancilla-Galindo ◽  
Gladys Quezada-Figueroa ◽  
Mariana Tlalpa-Prisco ◽  
...  

Domiciliary confinement of people is one of the main strategies to limit the impact of COVID-19. Lockdowns have led to changes in lifestyle, emotional health, and eating habits. We aimed to evaluate the association of differences in dietary behaviours and lifestyle with self-reported weight gain during the COVID-19 lockdown in Chile. In this cross-sectional analytical study, five previously validated surveys were condensed into a single 86-item online questionnaire. The survey was sent to 1000 potential participants of the university community; it was kept online for 28 days to be answered. Of the 639 respondents, the mean self-reported weight gain during confinement was 1.99 kg (standard deviation [SE]: 0.17) and 0.7 (SE: 0.06) units of body mass index (BMI) (both p < 0.001) and the median difference in body weight during lockdown was 3.3% (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.0–6.7). The differences of intake of most food groups before and during lockdown were associated with greater self-reported weight, BMI and percentage weight gain. Differences in lifestyle (odds ratio [OR] = 14.21, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 2.35–85.82) worsening eating habits (OR = 3.43, 95%CI: 2.31–5.09), and more consumption of sweet or filled cookies and cakes during lockdown (OR = 2.11, 95%CI: 1.42–3.13) were associated with self-reported weight gain. In conclusion, different dietary behaviours (mainly consumption of industrialized foods) during lockdown, as well as quality of life deterioration were the main factors associated with self-reported weight gain during lockdown.


Nutrire ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Desire Alice Naigaga ◽  
Kjell Sverre Pettersen ◽  
Sigrun Henjum ◽  
Øystein Guttersrud

Abstract Efforts targeting adolescents’ dietary behaviour have often focused on improving their access to nutrition information; however, adolescents report finding nutrition information difficult to understand. Exploring adolescents’ critical nutrition literacy might provide insight into how best to improve their use of available nutrition information. Purpose The purpose of this article is to explore how the two aspects of the critical nutrition literacy - critical evaluation of nutrition information’ and ‘engagement in dietary behaviour’ are linked at personal level. Additionally, the study sought to establish the association between critical nutrition literacy and self-efficacy in nutrition related subjects. Methods Applying a cross-sectional study design, the study sampled 1622 adolescents aged 15-16years, enrolled in 58 secondary schools in Norway. The adolescents responded to scales measuring self-efficacy and CNL. Using Lisrel 9.30, the study evaluated a structural equation model linking CNL and SEBH. Results The study yielded a simple yet theoretically sound model depicting the link between CNL and self-efficacy. Conclusion Efforts promoting adolescents’ nutrition literacy might benefit from increasing their self-efficacy in nutrition-related subjects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Wenwen Wu ◽  
Jie Diao ◽  
Jinru Yang ◽  
Donghan Sun ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
...  

Background. In general, given the insufficient sample size, considerable literature has been found on single studies of diabetes and hypertension and few studies have been found on the coexistence of diabetes and hypertension (CDH) and its influencing factors with a large range of samples. This study aimed to establish a structural equation model for exploring the direct and indirect relationships amongst sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, obesity, and CDH amongst Chinese adults. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of 25356 adults between June 1, 2015, and September 30, 2018, in Hubei province, China. Confirmatory factor analysis was initially conducted to test the latent variables. A structural equation model was then performed to analyse the association between latent variables and CDH. Results. The total prevalence of CDH was 2.8%. The model paths indicated that sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, and obesity were directly associated with CDH, and the effects were 0.187, 0.739, and 0.353, respectively. Sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle were also indirectly associated with CDH, and the effects were 0.128 and 0.045, respectively. Lifestyle had the strongest effect on CDH (β = 0.784, P < 0.001 ), followed by obesity (β = 0.353, P < 0.001 ) and sociodemographic characteristics (β = 0.315, P < 0.001 ). All paths of the model were significant ( P < 0.001 ). Conclusion. CDH was significantly associated with sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, and obesity amongst Chinese adults. The dominant predictor of CDH was lifestyle. Targeting these results might develop lifestyle and weight loss intervention to prevent CDH according to the characteristics of the population.


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