Changes to eating and activity behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in persons with food addiction

ABSTRACT

Background: Prior studies have demonstrated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight management and lifestyle behaviors, though identification of who may be at greatest risk for negative consequences has not been fully explored. Addictive-like eating behavior, or food addiction, has been associated with an array of problematic eating behaviors, which may suggest heightened susceptibility to poorer outcomes. Methods: Participants (n = 288) in this online, cross-sectional study completed questionnaires in February, 2021 assessing food addiction and reported changes to their weight, eating, and physical activity before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Individuals with food addiction gained an average of 12.42 lb (5.63 kg) since March 2020, compared to an average weight gain of 2.14 lb (.97 kg) for those without food addiction (p < .001). Linear regression analyses controlling for age and body mass index (BMI) showed that food addiction was independently associated with higher weight gain (B = 9.28, t = 4.97, p < .001), greater intake of ultra-processed foods before and during COVID-19 (B = 1.08, t = 5.71, p < .001;B = 1.18, t = 6.42, p < .001, respectively), greater attribution of their overall current eating behaviors to COVID-19 circumstances (B = 23.19, t = 4.62, p < .001), and higher distress about their overall current eating behaviors (B = -22.12, t = -2.50, p = .01). Interaction effects demonstrated that individuals with food addiction who are older may be at particularly high risk for weight gain and distress. Conclusions: The present research suggests that food addiction is a uniquely meaningful phenotype, beyond the effects of BMI, to identify risk for the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals with food addiction, particularly those who are older, may benefit from support with weight management and addictive-like eating as the COVID-19 pandemic persists and resolves.