COVID-19 and Eating Problems in Daily Life: The Mediating Roles of Stress, Negative Affect and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic poses a challenge to individuals' mental health. People worldwide are experiencing increased stress, negative affect, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, which may lead to eating problems. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the perceived severity of COVID-19 on eating problems and the mediating effects of stress/negative affect/posttraumatic stress symptoms both at the personal level and interpersonal level. Methods: During the COVID-19 outbreak, a total of 108 college students were recruited to report their perceived severity of COVID-19, stress, negative affect, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and eating problems three times a day for seven consecutive days using Ecological Momentary Assessment. Results: State perceived severity of COVID-19 predicted fewer subsequent eating problems in daily life at the personal level. Both state negative affect and posttraumatic stress symptoms were positively associated with eating problems in daily life. At the interpersonal level, trait-like perceived severity of COVID-19, stress, negative affect, and posttraumatic stress symptoms were positively associated with overall eating problems. There were no mediating effects of stress/negative affect/posttraumatic stress symptoms on the relations between perceived severity of COVID-19 and eating problems at the personal/interpersonal level. Conclusions: The perceived severity of COVID-19, stress, negative affect, and posttraumatic stress symptoms might increase the risk of eating problems.

Age, Anxiety, Stress, and Depression Associated with Eating Problems During COVID-19

This cross-sectional web-based study investigated the association of age, gender, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress with eating problems in Brazilian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 715 participants (237 men and 478 women) were recruited from all regions of Brazil. The instruments used were the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Eating Attitudes Test – 26 (EAT-26). Data analysis was conducted through the independent t test, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Multiple regression showed that DASS total score made the largest positive contribution to EP for men (β = .17, p < .01) and women (β = .22, p < .001). The data showed significant differences between men and women for all variables (p < .001), indicating that women presented more symptoms in all variables. Our findings show that symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were associated whit risky behavior for EP in Brazilian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.Alternate : Este estudio transversal basado en la web investigó la asociación de edad, sexo y los síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés con los problemas alimentarios (PAs) en adultos brasileños durante la pandemia del coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Se reclutó un total de 715 participantes (237 hombres y 478 mujeres) de todas las regiones de Brasil. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron la Escala de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés – 21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 [DASS-21]) y el Teste de Actitudes Alimentarias – 26 (Eating Attitudes Test – 26 [EAT-26]). El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante la prueba t independiente, la correlación de Pearson y el análisis de regresión múltiple. La regresión múltiple mostró que la puntuación total en DASS-21 contribuyó positivamente a los PAs en hombres (β = 0.17, p < 0.01) y mujeres (β = 0.22, p < 0.001). Los datos mostraron que las mujeres tenían más síntomas en todas las variables (p < 0.001). Los síntomas de DASS-21 se asocian con conductas de riesgo para PAs en adultos brasileños durante la pandemia de COVID-19.Alternate : Este estudo transversal baseado na web investigou a associação de idade, sexo e sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse com problemas alimentares (PAs) em adultos brasileiros durante a pandemia da coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Um total de 715 participantes (237 homens e 478 mulheres) foram recrutados em todas as regiões do Brasil. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Estresse – 21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 [Dass-21]) e o Teste de Atitudes Alimentares – 26 (Eating Attitudes Test – 26 [EAT-26]). A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio de teste t independente, correlação de Pearson e análise de regressão múltipla. A regressão múltipla mostrou que a pontuação total na Dass-21 contribuiu positivamente para PAs em homens (β = 0,17, p < 0,01) e mulheres (β = 0,22, p < 0,001). Os dados mostraram que as mulheres apresentaram mais sintomas em todas as variáveis (p < 0.001). Assim, os sintomas da Dass-21 foram associados a comportamentos de risco para PAs em adultos brasileiros durante a pandemia da Covid-19.

The effect of leisure boredom and A1C level on diabetes eating problems in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

PURPOSE: Eating out of boredom, the changes in daily routine, physical inactivity and longer exposure to screens have made glycemic control difficult at home during the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Adolescents with diabetes are at higher risk of developing eating problems than are their healthy peers. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of leisure time boredom and A1C level on eating problems in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. DESIGN AND METHODS: A descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional design was used in this study. The study was conducted in Turkey, with the participation of 173 adolescents diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Convenience sampling was used to recruit patients from pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinics of hospitals. RESULTS: It was determined that the diabetes eating problems of adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes were mostly affected by the level of leisure time and A1C, respectively. In the overall model, 58% (F = 4119.701, p < .001) of the factors affecting diabetes eating problems could be explained by the level of leisure boredom and A1C level. CONCLUSION: It has been found that the adolescents with diabetes with high A1C levels and who cannot use their leisure time and have boredom are more at risk in terms of diabetes eating problems. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It should be determined how the adolescents with diabetes spend their lesiure time by diabetes health care team, which should be supported to develop leisure time skills. Effective use of leisure time and strategies to cope with boredom should also be included in diabetes education.