The current pandemic, together with confinements, produces anxiety. And many people combat anxiety by eating, especially high-fat or sugary foods.
Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, they wanted to check if college-age people also overeat in these times of uncertainty. Women were more likely to engage in these behaviors.
Greater frustrated social affiliation
Young adults may be particularly susceptible to mental health issues related to the pandemic, partly due to a higher level of interest in social affiliations.
The scientists used data from an ongoing study that included participants' weight in October 2018 and 2019, and then again in May and July 2020. The researchers found that almost half of the 1,820 students who were surveyed used foods for confront the pandemic.
Approximately 48% of study participants reported one or more unhealthy eating behaviors. Using food to cope with the pandemic was also associated with weight gain, especially for young adults with a higher starting weight.
Not only were women more likely to engage in these behaviors, people who had previously had higher depression were more likely to engage in these behaviors.
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The news
Pandemic and food: calories are the relief for many people from the anxiety caused by the pandemic, especially in women
was originally published in
Xataka Science
by
Sergio Parra
.