The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorder risk and symptoms.
Int J Eat Disord
; 53(7): 1166-1170, 2020 Jul.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-457140
ABSTRACT
The current COVID-19 pandemic has created a global context likely to increase eating disorder (ED) risk and symptoms, decrease factors that protect against EDs, and exacerbate barriers to care. Three pathways exist by which this pandemic may exacerbate ED risk. One, the disruptions to daily routines and constraints to outdoor activities may increase weight and shape concerns, and negatively impact eating, exercise, and sleeping patterns, which may in turn increase ED risk and symptoms. Relatedly, the pandemic and accompanying social restrictions may deprive individuals of social support and adaptive coping strategies, thereby potentially elevating ED risk and symptoms by removing protective factors. Two, increased exposure to ED-specific or anxiety-provoking media, as well as increased reliance on video conferencing, may increase ED risk and symptoms. Three, fears of contagion may increase ED symptoms specifically related to health concerns, or by the pursuit of restrictive diets focused on increasing immunity. In addition, elevated rates of stress and negative affect due to the pandemic and social isolation may also contribute to increasing risk. Evaluating and assessing these factors are key to better understanding the impact of the pandemic on ED risk and recovery and to inform resource dissemination and targets.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Exercise
/
Feeding and Eating Disorders
/
Quarantine
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Feeding Behavior
/
Pandemics
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Int J Eat Disord
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Eat.23318
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