Eating and exercise behaviors in eating disorders and the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: Initial results from the COLLATE project.

Publisher: Wiley Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 8111226 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1098-108X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 02763478 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Eat Disord Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: <2005-> : Hoboken, NJ : Wiley
Original Publication: [New York, N.Y. : Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., c1981-

Coronavirus Infections/*prevention & control ; Exercise/*psychology ; Feeding Behavior/*psychology ; Feeding and Eating Disorders/*psychology ; Pandemics/*prevention & control ; Pneumonia, Viral/*prevention & control ; Quarantine/*psychology; Adult ; Australia/epidemiology ; Betacoronavirus ; COVID-19 ; Coronavirus Infections/psychology ; Feeding and Eating Disorders/epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Health ; Pneumonia, Viral/psychology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Self Report

Objective: Emerging evidence suggests that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may be negatively impacting mental health. The impact on eating and exercise behaviors is, however, currently unknown. This study aimed to identify changes in eating and exercise behaviors in an Australian sample among individuals with an eating disorder, and the general population, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
Method: A total of 5,469 participants, 180 of whom self-reported an eating disorder history, completed questions relating to changes in eating and exercise behaviors since the emergence of the pandemic, as part of the COLLATE (COvid-19 and you: mentaL heaLth in AusTralia now survEy) project; a national survey launched in Australia on April 1, 2020.
Results: In the eating disorders group, increased restricting, binge eating, purging, and exercise behaviors were found. In the general population, both increased restricting and binge eating behaviors were reported; however, respondents reported less exercise relative to before the pandemic.
Discussion: The findings have important implications for providing greater monitoring and support for eating disorder patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the mental and physical health impacts of changed eating and exercise behaviors in the general population need to be acknowledged and monitored for potential long-term consequences.
(© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

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GNT1088785 International National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia; GNT1142424 International National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia; GNT1154651 International National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia; GNT1161609 International National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia; GNT1159953 International National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia

Keywords: Australia; COVID-19; anorexia nervosa; coronavirus; eating disorder; national survey; pandemic

Date Created: 20200602 Date Completed: 20200722 Latest Revision: 20220716

20231215

PMC7300745

10.1002/eat.23317

32476163