Impacts of Covid-19 on weight change perception and body satisfaction: a comparison between women with and without eating disorders
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2024.76446Abstract
Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic led to various consequences for people’s mental and physical health. The context of social isolation exacerbated problems related to body image, especially in individuals with eating disorders. Objective: To analyze the repercussions of Covid-19 on anthropometric variables regarding weight perception and body satisfaction, comparing women with eating disorders to those without this condition. Methods: Observational, descriptive, comparative, and cross-sectional study. Women with eating disorders in treatment (EDG) were recruited from five services in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. The counterpart, the control group (CG), consisted of women without eating disorders recruited online and with a negative score on the EAT-26 test. Online questionnaires were applied between June 2020 and January 2021. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact test and logistic regressions, performed using the SPSS 23.0 program. Results: Participants were 174 young women (31.94±9.35 years of age), with higher education (71.3%) and with a partner (61.5%), who were in social isolation. The EDG consisted of 58 women, with116 in the CG. The majority (55.2%) of the EDG noticed an increase in body weight while being dissatisfied with body image (81.0%), a statistically different result from the CG. The association between women with eating disorders and low body satisfaction was significant (p=.0010). Those in social isolation and overweight or obese were more likely to perceive weight gain. Conclusion: The Covid-19 pandemic intensified body dissatisfaction, especially among women with eating disorders. Those in isolation who were overweight or obese perceived more weight gain, indicating the need for intervention strategies for these groups.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Shauana Rodrigues Silva Soares, Lívia Dayane Sousa Azevedo, Ana Paula Leme de Souza, Marina Garcia Manochio Pina, Rosane Pilot Pessa

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