Disordered eating behaviors and psychological health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This study aims to investigate dietary changes, psychological well-being, symptoms of anxiety and depression occurring during the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and their associations with symptoms of eating disorders. A sample of 316 Hong Kong Chinese was assessed using standardized instruments from March to April 2020. 86.1% of participants indicated that they had made at least one dietary change due to the pandemic. 26.5% of participants have a possible case of eating disorders. Participants with a possible case of eating disorders reported significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety symptoms and lower levels of three dimensions of psychological well-being (environmental mastery, purpose in life and self-acceptance). The result pointed to the need for more clinical attention to eating disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic.