THE EFFECT OF “STAY HOME FOR COVID-19” LIFE ON STUDENTS ANXIETY LEVELS AND EATING BEHAVIORS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of the quarantine process applied in the COVID-19 pandemic on the anxiety levels and eating behaviors of individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was made in a cross-sectional type with students studying in the health department of a university. 510 students participated in the study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Test (GAD-7). RESULTS: The mean age of the students participating in the study was 21.82±4.45, 21.4% were male and 78.6% were female. During the stay at home, individuals frequently stated that they consume more home-cooked food and eat healthy. In the study, a significant correlation was found between the ages of the students and the TFEQ sub-dimension, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating. The mean score of the students from the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale was found to be 8.73±5.80. In addition, when their anxiety levels were graded, it was found that 25.9% had mild anxiety, 35.5% had moderate anxiety, 21.8% had high anxiety and 17.8% had severe anxiety. The general anxiety groups and TFEQ total scores and the scores of the TFEQ subgroups were compared and the TFEQ total score of the generalized anxiety groups was 38.03 ± 10.57, while those with moderate anxiety were 41.65 ± 10.74 and those with high anxiety were 45.22. ± 8.58 and those with severe anxiety were determined as 41.97 ± 11.62. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that a significant portion of university students experienced changes in eating behaviors and anxiety disorders during the nationwide quarantine caused by the pandemic. Quarantine measures taken to protect public health have shown that eating disorders have increased especially in the overweight and obese group.