ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Current epidemiological conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate the risk of new onset, recurrence and relapse of eating disorders. The aim of this perspective is to better analyse the phenomenon. RESULTS: Some data suggest that new onset and recurrence/relapse of eating disorders are increasing due to the ongoing pandemic. Government restrictions, self-confinement, social isolation, restriction to healthcare facilities access, delayed access to diagnosis and cure, fear of contagion, distress and difficulties related to telemedicine approach are believed to contribute to this burden. Immune system dysfunction usually observed in undernourishment (e.g., anorexia nervosa) could play a role in delaying the diagnosis of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, and predisposing to possible bacterial superinfection. Conversely, patients with binge eating, obesity or metabolic syndrome are susceptible to high-grade systemic inflammation and poor prognosis once the infection has occurred. DISCUSSION: Despite some evidence, more detailed data combining research in the field of eating disorders and COVID-19 are required. Many data show that telemedicine has some beneficial aspects, but its impact on long-term mental health is still poorly understood. Short- and long-term consequences of COVID-19 in patients with eating disorders are unknown, but it is likely that they will become more apparent over time. CONCLUSION: Working on emotion regulating strategies in a post-pandemic world, when people have inadequate control over the background of negative emotions, could be a strategy for treatment in the future. Long-term studies with a larger sample size are essential to assess long-term consequences of blockade on patients and their healthcare providers and identify useful strategies to improve clinical management.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown has represented an inedited model of increased metabolic risk in all age groups, due to negative changes in dietary habits, physical activity, lifestyle. These effects have been generally explored at a population level in distinct age groups. Potential intra-familial, specific effects in adults and children sharing the same socio-economic, cultural level and living habits have been scarcely explored. We aimed to characterize changes of anthropometric indices in parents and in their children during COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS: A cohort of 149 couple parent/children were prospectively enrolled. By a validated questionnaire we explored changes of body mass index (BMI) and individual lifestyle during a 2-month lockdown (May- July 2020). RESULTS: BMI increased in 70.5% of parents and in 67.8% of their children, with a Δ-BMI of 1.44+0.09 kg/ m 2 and 0.36+0.02 Kg/m 2 , respectively. BMI increments, however, were only significant in adults and did not correlate in the couple parents/children. Most adults (80.5%) and children (71.4%) did not perform regular physical activity during the lockdown. Direct correlations between dietary changes and BMI variations became evident in children, mainly in terms of a decreased consumption of fresh fruit, pulses, fish, and an increased consumption of cereals, carbohydrates, dairy products, olive oil. In normal weight, overweight and obese children, but not in adults, the increase in sleep hours increased with BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Despite marked lifestyle changes imposed by the COVID-19 lockdown, BMI variations in parents were independent from those observed in their children, pointing to different outcomes in response to the same external, critical event. Thus, primary prevention measures aimed at maintaining a healthy lifestyle require different approaches according to age.