Addiction to ultra-processed foods as a mediator between psychological stress and emotional eating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic induced psychological distress, which is linked to emotional eating and symptoms of addiction to ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Objective

This study aimed to investigate whether symptoms of addiction to UPFs mediate the relationship between psychological stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic and emotional eating behaviour.

Methods

A cross-sectional online study was conducted from May to November 2021 among 368 undergraduate Brazilian students. The participants answered demographic questions and completed validated scales, including the Coronavirus Stress Measure, Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 and Emotional Eating Questionnaire. Mediation analysis was employed to examine the hypothesised relationships.

SUBMITTER: Stariolo JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11410752 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature