An 8-month longitudinal exploration of body image and disordered eating in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT: Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic is negatively impacting mental health, with rates of eating disorder referrals in particular rising steeply during the pandemic. This study aimed to examine 8-month changes in body image and disordered eating during the COVID-19 pandemic, and explore whether any changes were moderated by gender, age, or eating disorder history. This study used a longitudinal survey design in which 587 adults living in the UK (85 % women; mean age = 32.87 years) completed assessments every two months over five timepoints from May/June 2020 to January/February 2021. Measures included body esteem, disordered eating, and psychological distress. Mixed effect models showed small but significant improvements in body esteem and disordered eating symptoms from May/June 2

SUBMITTER: Sharpe H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9343067 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature